The coastal security department of Navi Mumbai has hired two trawlers for deep-sea patrolling for one year.
Even though the department has seven speed boats, trawlers were needed to enter the deep sea and carry more men at one go. The trawlers named ‘Sanjeevani’ and ‘Mahalakshmi Prasad’ have been rented out from a private firm.
“The government will pay ₹15,000 for a day’s use. For the days the trawlers are not used, no rent will be paid. They will be used for a maximum of 12 hours in a day,” senior police inspector Parag Sonawane from the Navi Mumbai coastal department said. “These trawlers will be of great help to keep tabs on sand mafia, terrorist activities and any other trespasses,” he said.
“Speed boats are faster than trawlers but cannot carry more than five officers at a time and cannot be taken inside deep sea,” Mr. Sonawane said. trawlers can traverse 10 nautical miles carrying 20 people, while speed boats can reach 30 nautical miles with five people in the same time, he said.
Trawlers have toilets and are less congested than speed boats. They also have torches which can flash light up to a distance of 1 km so officers can keep a watch even at night. “Before hiring, we got clearance from the State Maritime Board and fisheries department after thoroughly checking all the papers related to the boat,” Mr. Sonawane said.
One trawler will be stationed at Mora coast. “Mora coast has a deeper sea, while the water at Dhruvatara Ulwa jetty is shallow during low tide, where the movement of trawlers is difficult. The patrol officers will be revealed at Mora coast. The other trawler will be at Gharapuri and will go to Dhruvatara Ulwa jetty during high tide,” Mr. Sonawane said.
The trawlers were inaugurated on Thursday by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Branch, Pankaj Dahane in the presence of 14 officers and 30 staff.