The sea-bound fishing vessels at Paradip harbour. Telegraph picture

Paradip, June 2: The state government has implemented colour code provisions for sea-bound fishing vessels as part of refurbishment of the coastal security mechanism.

Licence of registered vessels will be cancelled if they did not adhere to the colour code.

All the fishermen and trawler owners have been directed to paint their boats with red and black. As approved by the marine fisheries department, the state’s sea-fishing vessels would now wear largely red look. It will have red colour coating on its cabin and the hull, the frontal portion of the vessel. The top bottom portion of vessels would be black. Boat owners are bearing the cost of the colouring.

The move will help the marine police, coast guard and navy officials to identify the nativity root and origin of a particular boat, said district fisheries officer Gyan Ranjan Samal.

The colour provisions have been made mandatory to differentiate the local fishing vessels from other vessels from neighbouring coastal states and as well as from foreign countries.

“The introduction of the colour code system also forms the part of coastal security plan. This is going to considerably ease the task of sea patrolling units in combating sea-route trespassing,” said Paradip coast guard commandant S.K. Nath.

“The coast guard had earlier sought for the introduction of the colour code provisions on fishing vessels sailing across the coast. We had written to the state government asking for its implementation. The fishing vessels come under the purview of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act. The state government has responded positively. Now, vessels on sea voyage without the specified colour on its cabin, hull and boot top would invite interception by sea-route patrol units,” Nath said.

The sea-route security would be further strengthened. As it has been found in the past, the fishing vessels often act as conduit for sea-route smuggling and subversive activities. Identification of such vessels would now be easier. Such colour code stipulation on the vessels is implemented in other coastal states, said a coast guard official.

“There are around 5,500 registered fishing vessels in the state’s Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts. The registered boats need to boldly display their registered number in black on the vessel’s frontal portion. Vessel owners have to ensure that their vessels are coated with red and black. Any violation would lead to confiscation of vessels and arrest of the crews besides the vessel owner in accordance with the act,” Samal said.