All mechanised fishing boats have to follow a colour code as per the directive of the State government.
The entire cabin and portions around the hull should be painted in light green. Besides, registration numbers of every mechanised boat should be painted on both sides in black to ensure good visibility, according to fisheries department sources.
The boat owners had been instructed to complete the procedures before March 31. Commandant A. Athinarayanan, Commanding Officer, ICG, Tuticorin Station, said the Coast Guard personnel would ensure that all mechanised boats adopted this colour code. If anybody was found violating this new regulation, it would be taken to the attention of fisheries department, he said.
S. Xavier Vas, president, Tuticorin Mechanised Boat Owners’ Association, said this would benefit fishermen. Problems arising out of fishermen of other States could besolved amicably.
Moreover, fishermen in distress could be located and rescued. However, he ruled out the possibility of painting all vessels within the stipulated period.
It could be completed during the 45-day annual fishing ban period. Around 400 mechanised boats from Tuticorin, Tharuvaikulam and Vembar are engaged in fishing.
