Context:
Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed an improvised Distress Alert Transmitter for fishermen at sea to send emergency messages from fishing boats.
About ISRO Second Generation Distress Alert Transmitter
- ISRO has improvised DAT with advanced capabilities and features evolving to Second Generation DAT (DAT-SG).
- The first version of DAT has been operational since 2010.
- The services of Second Generation DAT have been declared operational on a 24/7 basis, with more than 20,000 DATs being used till now.
Distress Alert Transmitter
Working of Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT)
- Using DAT, messages are sent through a communication satellite and received at a central control station (INMCC: Indian Mission Control Centre), where the alert signals are decoded for the identity and location of the fishing boat.
- The decoded information is then forwarded to Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) under the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
- Using this information, the MRCC coordinates to undertake search and rescue operations to save the fishermen in distress without delay.
- Sagarmitra: The central control centre (INMCC) has a web-based network management system called Sagarmitra which maintains a database of registered DAT-SGs and helps MRCCs to access the information about boat, coordinate the boat in distress in real time.
Features of Second Generation Distress Alert Transmitter
- Two-way communication: Apart from transmitting distress signals from the Sea, DAT-SG can receive messages from control centres.
- For Example, advance alert messages can be sent to the fishermen at sea whenever there are bad weather events, cyclone tsunamis or any other emergencies.
- Updates on Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ): The information about PFZs is also transmitted to fishermen using DAT-SG at regular intervals. This helps fishermen to get a good yield in the catch and saves time and fuel.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: DAT-SG can connect to mobile phones using Bluetooth.
- Remove Language Barrier: The messages received by DAT-SG can be read in native language using an App on the mobile.
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News Source: DH
Also Read: India’s Fisheries Sector
20 Jan 2024
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