ISRO Unveils Second Generation Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT-SG)

• 20 Jan 2024

Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed an indigenous technological solution namely Distress Alert Transmitter-Second Generation (DAT-SG) for the fishermen at sea to send emergency messages from fishing boats.

Key Points

• Operational Since 2010: Since 2010, the first DAT version has been operating. In the Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC), alert signals are decoded to identify fishing boats by their location and identity for messages received as a result of communication satellites.
• Coordination with MRCCs: The resultant information is transmitted to Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres (MRCCs) under the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), allowing for search and rescue operations of stranded fishermen. More than 20,00 DATs are utilized nowadays.
• Acknowledgement Facility: DAT-SG includes confirmations sent by fishermen who launched distress alerts, the messages to inform them of their imminent rescue.
• Advance Alert Messages: The DAT-SG is capable of receiving messages from control centres to allow the fishers receive weather advance warnings on cyclones, tsunamis or any other emergency, helping them move their vessels and themselves into safer environments.
• Information on Fishing Zones: DAT-SG is responsible for providing updates at fit periods, which improves the catch of fishermen and reduces their time as well fuel consumption.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: It is possible to attach DAT-SG through Bluetooth and messages can be read in native language using dedicated mobile application.
• Sagarmitra Network Management System: A web-based network management system, called Sagarmitra is used by the INMCC to create a database of registered DAT-SGs.
• This enables the coordination among boats in case of rescue and improves the effectiveness of search and rescue operations deployed by Indian Coast Guard.
• Operational 24/7: The DAT-SG services have been declared operational on 24/7 basis so that maritime safety is ensured at all times.