SANDAKAN: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) here has initiated the usage of Channel 16 for communication network in sea areas to facilitate all fishing vessel owners and fishermen.
Its director, Datuk Wan Abdul Bari Wan Khalid said ESSCom had established a communication channel that is Channel 16, which previously was used by large ships sailing on the east coast of Sabah to contact the authorities in the event of an emergency.
“This allows the effectiveness of the dissemination of information on security issues, emergencies at sea and also to become the main communication network between authorities and fishermen or boat operators.
“To date, we had also installed and established this communication equipment in most of our control post and station which would facilitate and ease authorities and fishermen,” he said when speaking to media after meeting fishing vessel owners, fishermen and members of the Sandakan Fishing (Tong Kang) Association here at Tanah Merah yesterday.
The meeting was held for Esscom to continuously provide current development related to security issues and other measures taken by the authority. Commenting on the installation of Automated Identification System (AIS), Bari said the AIS installation process had reached its final stages.
“Since it receives positive feedback from boat operators, the installation of AIS is now in final stages. So, all of our fishing vessels will soon be equipped with AIS in near future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bari reiterated that Esscom was committed in addressing the security issue at sea, therefore the cooperation from all parties either from fishermen and boat operators was important.