The Odisha Fisheries Development Corporation distributed 105 Distress Alert Transmitters (DAT) to the fishermen.
The DAT has four buttons, with each button standing for some help in difficult situations like Fire, Medical Help, Boat Sinking or Man onboard in deep sea. When the button is pressed, it will take 2-3 minutes for the GPS to acquire its own position. The message will first go to Chennai office and then would be transmitted to the area office where a boat is in difficulty so that immediate rescue operation is conducted.
It also helps inform unknown peoples’ entry by sea route. The device was also distributed to all coastal area fishermen who venture into deep sea for fishing in the State. After surgical strike on the PoK terrorist hideouts, the Government distributed the DAT device among fishermen to collect more information on infiltration by sea.