Date:05/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/05/stories/2007090560670100.htm

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Maritime rescue centre upgraded

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at the regional headquarters of the Indian Coast Guard here has been upgraded. The upgraded facility, which was inaugurated on Tuesday by Coast Guard director general R.F. Contractor, is equipped to monitor and handle a number of marine incidents simultaneously.

Several new communication and data transfer equipment have been installed as part of the upgradation and the centre would function round the clock. Fishermen in distress can reach the MRCC by dialling 1554, according to a press release.

It said a new Distress Alert Transmission (DAT) system reception centre was in the process of being established on land provided by the State Government adjacent to the Coast Guard regional headquarters. With the functioning of the DAT system, the search and rescue system would get a much-needed boost as it would provide an alerting mechanism for fishermen.

Vice Admiral R.F. Contractor, after inaugurating the upgraded MRCC, appreciated the work being done by the Coast Guard (eastern region). He said 46 new ships and 46 aircraft are likely to be commissioned by 2022. He also visited the Pollution Response Team, a unit of the Coast Guard, to review arrangements ahead of the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan meeting to be held in Delhi later this month.