Port Blair, Oct. 1: The Coast Guard Region (A&N), as part of Coastal Security Initiative conducted Mass Awareness Drive for the fishing community, from 26 – 28 Sep 12, in association with the Department of Fisheries at various places viz. Panighat & Wandoor, Port Blair, Rajeev Nagar & Satellite colony, Campbell Bay, VS Palli & Kerala Puram, Diglipur. The awareness drive was conducted with an aim to spread awareness in run up to prepare for Coastal Security Exercise ‘Tatsuraksha” TSX -02/12 during 21-23 Nov 12. The main objective of this drive was to re-emphasize the responsibility of fishing community towards the Coastal Security setup and their role as “Eyes and Ears” of the security agencies. The opportunity was also utilized to educate fishermen on safety and security aspects while operating at Sea. The importance of toll free SAR No. 1554 and Coastal Security No. 1093 was also highlighted.  A total 250 fishermen participated during interaction program.

Similar programmes are planned during Oct and Nov 12 at various places across the A&N Islands. During these interactions the fishing Community is being sensitized about the safety precautions to be undertaken and method of reporting suspicious activity to Coastal Security Agencies. A communiqué received from Commandant SSN Bajpai, Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of Coast Guard Region (A&N) explained the broad guidelines on safety precautions and details of information of suspicious activity to be passed to security agencies are as follows:-

SAFETY PRECAUTION

1.             Boat to be secured properly

2.             Do not leave boat un-attended

3.             Unknown persons not to be entertained

4.             Any unusual activity to be immediately informed to Coastal Security Agency

WHAT IS SUSPICIOUS?

Hiring of Boat under following circumstances :-

1.             At Un-usual time

2.             By unknown person

3.             Offering large amount of money

WHAT TO REPORT

In case of any suspicious activity , the following information may be reported :-

1.             Time of sighting

2.             Location with geographical reference

3.             No. of suspicious persons

4.             Appearance of suspicious persons

5.             Details of boat like colour, length, Registration No.

6.             Any other specific identity of personnel or boat

7.             Movement of boat