Coastal surveillance beefed up with the launch of Rs 132 cr National Automatic Identification System

Chennai:

In a bid to boost the coastal security and enhance safe navigation along the country’s vast coastline of 7,500 km, the Union government on Friday launched Rs 132 crore National Automatic Identification System Network.

Speaking after inaugurating the automatic identification system (AIS) network here, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan said the network is set up connecting 74 AIS sensors installed on light houses along the entire coastline with six regional centers, two coastal centers and one national data center. There will also be monitoring stations at Navy, Coast Guard and other centers.

“It will be able to track vessels up to a distance of 50 km from the coast and is intended to help different users like director general shipping, ports, navy and coastguard in tracking, surveillance, search and rescue and management of aids to navigation.

Interestingly, the network also has a provision to track small fishing vessels with customized transponders which will be helpful in search and rescue and also in extending help in case of any eventuality.

“There are about two lakh fishing vessels which are required to be equipped with such transponders. The Shipping Ministry has approved a pilot project for Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) to provide transponders to 1,000 fishing vessels off the coast of Gujarat and Maharashtra at an estimated cost of Rs six crore,” the minister.

“In the next phase it will be extended to other coastal states including Tamil Nadu,” he added.

The minister also handed over the approval of establishing a ligthouse at Vembar in Tuticorin district for which initial works are being carried out. Director General of directorate general of Lighhouse and Lighting Capt A M Surej also poke on the occasion.