Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)
Udupi, Sep 3: The coastal police force is facing inconvenience as they do not possess sea ambulance in case of any mishaps that take place in the sea and required emergency operation to save lives.
A demand was placed to link the sea ambulance to receive SOS messages of fishermen in case of mishaps while fishing in deep sea as well as to inform any ship related accidents they observe while fishing. The coastal police force was given the responsibility of saving those stuck in mid sea, in addition to protecting 320 km long coastline.
Representational image
The coastal police force personnel say, “Proposal seeking a sea ambulance for Malpe was sent a year ago. However, it is still not approved. If sea ambulance starts functioning, lives of fishermen can be saved in deep sea when they are in danger.”
According to The coastal police force sources, more than 500 people are rescued in the past decade in more than 80 operations. However, they say that it is big challenge to respond to the SOS calls of fishermen in trouble, without sea ambulance.
Dayanad, leader of fishermen, says “At present, the coastal police force has nine boats of 12 tonne capacity and four boats of five tonne capacity. However, during emergency operation, these are not enough. Sea ambulance demand is a long standing one. The need of this is more during inclement weather.”