Coast Guard cautions seafarers ahead of monsoon

The Coast Guard unit here has asked seafarers including merchant vessels, dhows and fishing boats to take precautions while operating at sea during the monsoon season.
Karnataka Coast Guard commander K R Suresh took stock of the preparedness for the monsoon at the Coast Guard units including the Maritime Rescue sub centre here yesterday, an Indian Coast Guard release here said today.
The Coast Guard also asked water sports operators along the coast to stop their operations during the monsoon season.
Merchant ships had been requested to follow the laid down standard operating procedures.
The masters of themerchant vessels should ensure sea-worthiness of theirvessels.

They should also ensure even loading and proper securing of the cargo and frequent rounds of the ships should be undertaken, the release said.

Merchant vessels had also been told to participate in the search and rescue system and update their details and keep their automatic identification system on, always.
Incase of emergency, they should contact the Coast Guard or the shipping agency.
The Mangaluru old port would remain closed during the monsoon till September 15 and dhows would not be venturing outto sea from there.
Any other dhows operating at sea shouldalso keep the owner and agents informed.
Fishing ban imposed for all mechanised boats would be in force till July 31, it added.

As orange was the 'distress colour' in the maritime sector, fishermen had been advised to keep torch lights beaming orange colour and flash them during crisis.