Coast Guard to deploy Pollution Control Vessels

Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, Dec 25 (UNI) In view of increasing oil vessel traffic through the Indian waters, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for the first time will deploy Pollution Control Vessels (PCV) to check and clean oil spillage in the ocean.

Addressing a press conference at the ICG Station here today, ICG Eastern Region Commander Inspector General Rajendra Singh said as per the statistics at least 300 vessels pass through the Indian waters every day.

The ICG had placed orders for three PCVs, each costing around Rs 400 crore, of which one would be deployed by March 2008, he said.

He said the low cost 'Emergency Alert Transmitter', jointly developed by the ICG and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would help the fishermen in distress.

The device had four alert options--medical emergency, cyclone distress, fire and held hostage by militant organisations.

Based on the alert type, the ICG vessels would immediately rush to rescue the fishermen.

The device, costing less than Rs 10,000, would be distributed to 100 fishermen of five villages in Chennai soon.

He said the ICG had requested the fishermen to register their boats with the state government. The devices would be distributed only to the registered fishing boats.

UNI