Safety Net Fails: Kerala Fishermen Left Vulnerable as Satellite Phones Go Defunct
A critical safety mechanism implemented in the wake of Cyclone Ockhi has effectively collapsed along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, leaving local fishermen at heightened risk during emergencies. Approximately 110 satellite phones distributed as emergency distress communication tools for deep-sea fishing have become defunct due to a lack of recharge support, while authorities have initiated a recall of unused devices, compounding fears about maritime safety.
Communication Breakdown and Fishermen's Frustrations
Fishermen report that the devices became unusable after the first year when renewal services were not provided by the department. The recall of inactive phones has intensified anxiety among coastal communities, who now fear being stranded without any reliable communication system during critical situations at sea. Ashok Kumar, a fisherman operating along the Thiruvananthapuram coast, shared his firsthand experience: "We were given a one-year recharge plan. After that, the department did not renew it. I approached fisheries officials several times, but nothing happened. Now they want the phone back, but without recharge, it is useless to us."
Systemic Failures and Financial Barriers
Right to Information (RTI) documents accessed by TOI reveal significant gaps in the initiative's execution. The state had originally planned to procure 1,000 satellite phones, but only 250 were purchased and distributed, with 110 allocated to Thiruvananthapuram. The original agreement proposed waiving spectrum charges, with users paying only minimal call costs, a provision that was never implemented. Currently, annual renewal costs, including spectrum charges and GST, amount to nearly Rs 30,000 per device, a sum far beyond the financial means of most fishermen. Additionally, users are not permitted to independently recharge the devices, rendering them entirely dependent on departmental support.
Widespread Impact and Union Concerns
Fishing union representatives highlight that the issue is widespread across the district. Jackson Pollayil of the Kerala Swatantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation stated that most distributed phones are lying idle. "Many fishermen either don't know how to recharge them or simply cannot afford it. Most have shifted back to mobile phones or walkie-talkies, which are unreliable for deep-sea communication," he explained. This reliance on inadequate alternatives further jeopardizes safety during emergencies.
Official Response and Ongoing Challenges
Fisheries department officials maintain that recharge facilities are being provided and have instructed fishermen to bring devices to the deputy director's office for verification and renewal. Authorities also cited security concerns as the reason for recalling phones found unused. However, the disconnect between official claims and ground realities persists, with many fishermen unable to access or afford the necessary support, undermining the initiative's original purpose of enhancing safety post-Cyclone Ockhi.
