New tracking system for ships launched

Union Minister of Shipping G K Vasan today launched the National Automatic Identification System Network (NAIS), which will strengthen the country's coastal security by tracking ships up to a distance of 50 km from the coast.

Speaking to reporters after launching the Rs 132-crore project of the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), Vasan said the system was intended to help users including Directorate General Shipping, ports, Navy and Coast Guard in tracking, surveillance, search and rescue and management among others.

The new system has 74 sensors installed on lighthouses along the entire coastline and the network has a provision to track small fishing vessels with customised transponders, which will be helpful in search and rescue and also in extending help in case of any eventuality.

 

Commenting on the pilot project of DGLL to provide transponders to 1,000 fishing vessels off the coast of Gujarat and Maharashtra, the minister said the scheme would be extended to other coastal states including Tamil Nadu.

On the Long Range Identification Traffic (LRIT) system developed by the Directorate General of Shipping, Pradeep Kumar Sinha, secretary - Shipping Ministry, said NAIS and LRIT should be integrated.

Lighthouse tourism
The shipping ministry has prepared a report to develop lighthouse tourism. Across the country, Vasan said, 13 lighthouses had been chosen in the first phase including four from Tamil Nadu for the lighthouse tourism scheme.

A lighthouse museum would be set up at the lighthouse on the Marina beach in Chennai.

Vasan also handed over the approval to build a lighthouse at Vembar in Tuticorin district to DGLL.