ISRO has developed the Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) to help fishermen at sea send emergency messages using ISRO’s communications satellites. This information is relayed to the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) managed by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for rescue missions. Now, ISRO has evolved the technology with a second generation DAT (DAT-SG), using an ultra high frequency (UHF) transmitter and the NavIC module for geolocation and messaging. The targeted users are small fishermen who can use the system to send emergency messages, report their locations, and receive alerts on fishing conditions and weather forecasts.
The DAT-SG can transmit emergency messages and position alerts, with the INMCC coordinating rescue missions in real-time. It can also send messages back to the distressed fishermen, directing them with further instructions and reassuring them that help is on the way. Additionally, the technology can provide information on favourable fishing zones, saving time and fuel for fishermen and potentially integrating with smartphone apps in the future.
The DAT-SG was inaugurated by ISRO chairman S Somanath in January 2024, and ISRO has offered to transfer the technology to private Indian industries as well. This technology has the potential to greatly benefit fishermen, saving time and fuel, improving yields, and providing critical support in times of distress at sea.
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