ISRO-ICG developed tech, Indian satellites prove crucial in saving lives at sea

Inan air-seacoordinated operation, theIndianCoast Guard(ICG) rescued a distressed fishing vessel ‘RSN-TWO’ and its seven crew, on Thursday. The vessel was off Tillanchong Island, nearly350 Km south of Port Blair.

This mission highlighted the significance of a home-grown satellite communication device that helps fishermenindistress, by alerting the concerned authorities.

The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Port Blair received an unregistered DAT (Distress Alert Transmitter) alert around Wednesday noon.

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As the DAT was unregistered, its data was unavailable with the ICG, hence the details were sought from the fisheries department.

On learning that the said vessel was ‘RSN-TWO’, which left Port Blair earlierinthe week for fishing, ICG tasked ship C-422 from Kamorta, besides ship Vishwast and Dornier aircraft forSearch and Rescue. On locating the boat off Tillanchong island and establishing contact, early on Thursday, it was learnt that the boat had machinery failure.

AN ICG team that boarded the distressed vessel provided basic necessities and first aid, following whichattempts were made to rectify the defect.

Due to the non-availability of specific spares the on-site repair was not possible, also considering theinclement weather conditions, the distressed vessel was towed for passage to Kamorta, by ICGS Vishwast.

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Jointlydevelopedby theIndianSpace Research Organization(ISRO) andIndianCoast Guard, the DAT(Distress Alert Transponder) is a low-cost and effective satellite transmitter built for fishermen.

Ata press of a button, this device transmits distress alerts to theSearch and Rescue Authorities through theINSAT series ofsatellites. TheIndianCoast Guard has been emphasizing that fishermen must carry the DAT device and also register it for effective, timelysearch and rescue.

TheIndianNational Satellite (INSAT) system is one of the largest domestic communication satellite systemsin the Asia-Pacific region with multiple operational communicationsatellitesplacedinGeo-stationary orbit. Establishedin1983 with the commissioning ofINSAT-1B, itinitiated a major revolutioninIndia’s communications sector and sustained the same later.

According to ISRO, theINSAT system with more than 200 transpondersinthe C, Extended C and Ku-bands provides services to telecommunications, television broadcasting, satellite news-gathering, societal applications, weather forecasting, disaster warning andSearch and Rescue operations.