The newly instituted Coast Guard district number 16 at Thoothukudi will enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s capabilities and coordination for its operations especially during natural disasters like cyclones, according to officers.
This will be the Coast Guard’s second district headquarters in Tamil Nadu after Chennai.
“This new Coast Guard headquarters will further enhance coastal security, help fishermen at sea during disasters like Cyclone Ockhi, respond to distress calls and attend to Search and Rescue (SAR) calls among other duties,” a source said.
The new unit will also have a more coordinated setup to cover over 690 km along the coastal districts of Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari.
Aviation unit soon
“An SAR Coordination Centre will come up soon in the district. An aviation unit too will come up here. This will, however, take time as we need a bigger parcel of land and then that needs to be developed. The process is going on,” the source said.
Fixed wing dorniers could currently operate from this new district, the source added.
The new district currently has an offshore patrol vessel, two fast patrol vessels, five hovercrafts and an interceptor.
“Seventy fishing hamlets will come under this district. A maritime rescue sub-centre and a diving cell will also come up at the facility. The execution will be faster in this area,” the source said.