In a pioneering project, the State government has launched distribution of Very High Frequency communication sets to country boat fishermen in the district to help them seek assistance from fellow fishermen when in distress in high seas.
In the first phase, the Fisheries Department distributed 345 VHF seats, each costing about Rs. 12,000, free of cost to as many fishermen in Mandapam, Thondi and Ramanathapuram areas on Friday, official sources said. The fishermen were also given Global Positioning System, the satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions. Three communication towers were set up at Thondi, Pamban and Erwadi with separate channels. Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu would maintain the service.