Kerala plans coordinated multi-agency response to speed up sea rescue operations
The Kerala Fisheries department has announced plans to establish a multi-agency mechanism to enable quicker decision-making when fishermen go missing at sea, particularly during the critical first hours after an incident, often referred to as the 'golden hour'. The move comes amid protests by the fishing community over alleged delays in search operations for three fishermen who remain missing off the coasts of Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday, officials decided to involve multiple stakeholders in the response framework. Besides the Fisheries department, the proposed body would include the State Disaster Management Authority, Revenue department, police, Coastal Police, Marine Enforcement, and the Indian Navy. The objective is to ensure coordinated and immediate action in the event of accidents at sea.
A draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling cases of missing fishermen is already in place. The Director of Fisheries, Chelsasini V., has been directed to prepare a detailed SOP for presentation to all stakeholders. The SOP is expected to define roles, responsibilities, and response timelines for each agency, aiming to eliminate bureaucratic delays during emergencies.
Recognising that local fishing communities possess the best practical knowledge of sea conditions, including wind speeds and ocean currents, the department plans to form local rapid response teams. These teams would be equipped to make quick decisions during the golden hour, supplementing official search and rescue efforts with their experience and familiarity with the waters.
Another significant gap identified is the lack of trained scuba divers within government agencies. Currently, diving support is outsourced on a hire basis, which can cause delays. To address this, the Fisheries department proposes to train mussel divers and other interested individuals in scuba diving. These trained divers would be placed at each harbour on a retainer fee, ensuring that skilled personnel are immediately available for search operations.
The meeting also highlighted the absence of organised data on fishermen who regularly venture into the sea. Apart from records maintained by the Kerala Fishermen's Welfare Fund Board, there is limited information available with the department or local fishing groups. To overcome this, the department plans to create and maintain updated, digitised records of all fisherfolk, which would help in verifying identities, tracking vessels, and initiating swift response during emergencies.
Furthermore, the department is exploring ways to encourage fishermen to opt for insurance, both for personal coverage and for their vessels, irrespective of size. Fishermen have historically shown reluctance or disinterest in purchasing insurance policies. Apart from offering a safety net against loss of life, insurance would also cover expenses related to injuries and damage to boats, thereby reducing the financial burden on families during crises.
The proposed measures are part of a broader effort to strengthen safety and response mechanisms for Kerala's coastal communities. While the immediate trigger was the recent missing fishermen incidents, officials stressed that the new system would provide a structured and long-term solution. The Fisheries department is expected to finalise the SOP and present it to stakeholders in the coming weeks, after which the multi-agency body would become operational.
