Radio beacon distribution nearing completion

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KOCHI: The distribution of 'radio beacon' to fishermen in the state is nearing completion. The instrument, also known as 'Distress..

KOCHI: The distribution of 'radio beacon' to fishermen in the state is nearing completion. The instrument, also known as 'Distress Alert Transponder', helps in sending distress signals from boats on the sea to the Coast Guard. However, in spite of the fact that the distribution has been nearing completion, many fishermen claim to have not heard about the device while others say the instrument is faulty.
"I have seen such devices in Chennai, Kanyakumari and Kulachal. But in Kochi, I have not heard about the instrument with anyone as yet," says Angelos, the Captain of Pavithra, a boat from Vypeen. But the officials at the Fisheries Department feel differently. "We have around 400 registered boats in Kochi. We have identified around 250 to distribute radio beacon. We have finished 80 per cent of the distribution. The rest will be done within a couple of days," Deputy Director of Fisheries K G George Kutty said.This the second time that the radio beacon is being distributed to fishermen in the state. The device, designed by Keltron, at a price of `35,000 per device, was taken back owing to certain faults in its working. "Keltron took back the faulty devices and performed necessary changes at their own expense," George Kutty said.

But the fisherman are of the opinion that the devices are still faulty. "The only good thing about this device was given in a kit which had certain other materials like paracetamol, syringe etc. These are being used well by the fishermen," Kerala Independent Fish Workers Federation president K Peter said.