Thiruvananthapuram: For enhanced safety of sea navigations, Kerala will fix high security holograms on boats. This is world’s first-of-its-kind sea-safety strategy and will enable remote monitoring of vessels ventured far out in seas in order to ensure their safety.
In phase-1 of the project. 300 ships will be fitted with these holograms i.e. vessels at Neendakara, Munambu and Kochi. The second phase will see 1500 boats installed with these boards and the third phase will cover all the remaining boats in the state. The fittings will be carried out with technology assistance from C-DIT at minimal costs.
The strategy has been formulated taking into account all perils the vessels are likely to encounter while venturing far out at sea., The system will help detect boats with fake registration numbers or those engaged in illegal activities at sea too. As satellite-based feedback will help trace a boat to its registration and serial number, illegal vessels will stand out overtly.
Safety Registration Board
With the help of GPS/GPSR network, the safety registration board will help track and identify a vessel in deep seas. The system is equipped with mechanism to tell fake registration boards from the original. The registration board would be installed above the boat’s wheel house. This will ensure a 360 degree angle visibility for the registration board. The position will also avoid likely damage to the board during collisions and constant contact with salty sea water.
Safety First
The Hologram Registration Board aims to protect lives and livelihoods of fisherfolks from sea perils and natural disasters like Ockhi as much as it does to reduce threats to foreign vessels and enhance the country’s maritime security, said Minster for Fisheries J Mercy Kuttyamma.
Biometric cards have been issued to people venturing into the sea. The Hologram Registration Board will additionally ensure safety for the vessels. The system will help monitor and oversee safety of boatmen each moment they are out at sea, the minister said.
