Govt to set up identification system for ocean-bound vessels

New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) In a move aimed at giving a cutting edge to patrolling in the high seas, the government today said a National Automatic Identification System (AIS) network would be set up to ensure a proper and effective tracking of any vessel in the country's coastal waters.

''This system will ensure the proper tracking of any vessel entering in our coastal waters with a view to ensuring safety and security of the vessels,'' Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Minister T R Baalu said after reviewing the developmental plans and major schemes of the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships here.

Mr Baalu said the AIS, covering the mainland coastline, would have 85 Base Stations and a National Control Centre at the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, New Delhi.

''The proposed AIS Network will be implemented by March 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore and would give a fillip to the security of Indian Coast,'' he added.

Mr Baalu also instructed the Directorate authorities to expedite the work on proposal and also work out the plans to develop lighthouses with some value addition.

In this context, he pointed out that some of the lighthouses in developed countries are major tourist spots.

Mr Baalu said India has lighthouses at picturesque locations which could be developed as excellent tourist spots. This step would also showcase the advances made by the shipping industry in the country, he added. The minister was informed that as per the amended Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, it is mandatory for all ocean going ships and vessels of 300 Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and above to carry AIS transponders for security and safety reasons. The coastal vessels of 500 GRT and above and all passenger liners will also be required to carry AIS Transponder in near future.

The Directorate General of Lighthouses has requested the ministry to make it mandatory to carry transponders for vessels between 50 GRT and 300 GRT, excluding small fishing vessels and fishing trawlers.

To ensure safety of the fishermen plying in the operational areas of the local lighthouses, Mr Baalu announced the formation a committee with the mandate to critically evaluate all local lighthouses for improving their reliability and availability.

The Committee, which has been asked to submit its report within six months, would be chaired by the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India and it will interact with the local Maritime Boards and Ports.

The minister commended the work done by the Directorate in connection with the tsunami restoration in Andamans and Nicobar Islands and in the affected areas of Tamil Nadu.

Mr Baalu was informed that Indira Point Lighthouse was restored and made operational by winching down men and material from the helicopter as it was in three metre deep waters and about 50 metre away from the shifted shoreline and thus difficult to approach.

He also reviewed the progress of work of Vessel Traffic Service in the Gulf of Kutch.

UNI