Now, number plates for fishing boats too

As a pilot measure to enhance coastal security surveillance, coastal police stations here have issued number plates to fishing boats. The move comes in the wake of a recent incident in which an unidentified Nagapattinam-registered fishing boat was alleged to have transported Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to Australia.
Of the 156 fishing boats registered with the Department of Fisheries, 150 have been given number plates in fluorescent colours that would reflect in light. Further, 18 staff have been inducted for round-the-clock surveillance on shift basis.
B. Srikanth, Senior Superintendent of Police, pointed out the difficulty in identification of boats even with numbers. “In sea, visibility is poor at night. The reflector number plates would help in easy identification of boats, and will be of help to the Coast Guard and Navy as well. It can also help curb other forms of criminal activities.”



All new registrations would have these plates, and also there is a proposal to have them at both the rear and front of the boat. According to Mr. Srikanth, bar codes have been proposed for the name plates to prevent duplication. However, cost-effectiveness would be taken into account and other formats shall be explored. The aim was to ensure some form of authentication.
 
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