LAHAD DATU: The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) received positive feedback from all fishermen at the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) on the need to install the Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio devices on their boats.
ESSCom operation centre Head of Staff Brigadier General Dato’ Md Rahim Mohammad said the feedback showed that fishermen understood the importance of installing AIS and VHF radio equipment to ensure their safety while fishing.
He said fishermen had also started to communicate using the equipment with security forces to inform of their locations while on sea, especially when in the risky areas such as in international waters near the southern Philippines
Md Rahim said there were many benefits if the fishermen installed the equipment as it would facilitate the security forces to monitor and control their movements.
The security forces would also be able to act immediately to provide assistance in an emergency situation such as if their boats were damaged or had capsized, he said.
“ESSCom will be able to provide assistance immediately as we already know their location, unlike the boats which do not have the equipment; we have to detect their location first before giving assistance.
“ESSCom hopes this measure and rule will be implemented continuously to facilitate the security forces to make better and effective monitoring work,” he said while monitoring the installation of AIS and VHF radio equipment on fishermen boats at the fishermen base near Pasar Umum yesterday.
Md Rahim also hoped that fishermen who had yet to install the equipment to provide full cooperation by installing them for their benefit and to ensure their safety while at sea.