National Roll-out Plan for the Vessel Communication and Support System

National Roll-out Plan for the Vessel Communication and Support System Latest News

Recently, the Union Department of Fisheries approved the national rollout of the Vessel Communication and Support System (VCSS) under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana.

About National Roll-out Plan for the Vessel Communication and Support System

• It envisages installation of indigenously developed transponders on one lakh marine fishing vessels covering mechanized and motorized vessels of all 13 coastal states and UTs
• It also focuses on establishment of the required earth station and associated communication infrastructure and development of the ‘Nabhmitra’ application in regional languages.
• The transponders are provided free of cost to eligible fishermen under the project. 
• Financial Assistance: The project will be implemented on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis between the Centre and the states, while Union Territories will receive 100 per cent central assistance.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
• The Vessel Communication and Support System is a satellite based two-way communication system.
  • It helps the fishers out at sea for sea-safety and security, provides alerts during adverse weather conditions, ‘No Fishing Zones’,  International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with geo-fencing and integration with the Nabhmitra App. 
  • It is being implemented with technical support of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). 
  • ISRO has also developed the ‘Nabhmitra’ application to provide real-time communication and support services to the marine fishing community.
  • Nabhmitra’ application offers a range of features including  periodic position reporting, two-way messaging, emergency and SOS alerts, automatic geo-fencing-based boundary crossing warnings, weather and cyclone advisories, emergency weather alerts, Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) information, navigational assistance, and an e-Token/Trip Declaration system.

Source: DD News

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