Port Blair, Feb 01: In the wake of reports of fishing dinghies registered with the Department of Fisheries engaged in transportation of cargo, tourists and passengers from island to island, the Fisheries Department has issued a strict advisory for the boat owners. As per rule, the Authorised Officers are empowered to cancel the registration of fishing vessels, if they are engaged in any commercial activity not connected with fishing. Therefore, all the fishing boat owners have been cautioned to refrain from such activities which are not connected with fishing.
Further, under the A&N Islands Marine Fishing Rules, 2004, the Department of Fisheries is maintaining a colour code for different categories of boats. As per the said Rule, the sides of all mechanized fishing vessels are painted in bright orange colour and non mechanized, motorized and country crafts are painted in bright yellow colour conforming to BIS above water line for easy identification of the vessel by the Indian Coast Guard. Therefore, using yellow and orange colours by the boats other than fishing boats is an offence.
It is seen in that some of the unregistered dinghies / boats are using yellow / orange colours in their boats, which is not only an offence but also a threat to coastal security. As such, for easy identification of the vessels by the law enforcing agencies, all the owners of dinghies/ boats other than fishing dinghies / boats are hereby advised not to use yellow and orange colours in their boats.
