Tracking devices helping authorities respond to fishermen in distress at sea – Mustapha

Fishermen who face emergencies while at sea are now receiving faster assistance, as vessel tracking devices are allowing authorities to quickly locate boats in distress and coordinate emergency responses.

“We have been working with y’all to also put new mechanisms, for example these VMS (vessel monitoring system), the tracking device.

“We are now purchasing these tracking devices, so that we can track these vessels when they are out in the ocean,” Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha said while speaking at a recent event.

The devices, Mustapha said enables the Fisheries Department to monitor fishing vessels movements while they are offshore.

“If they are in distress or there is any emergency, we here at the Fisheries Department can track and know where these vessels are so we can locate you,” he said.

According to Mustapha, the government has already purchased the tracking devices and are installing them on fishing vessels.

The system, he said plays a critical role during distress situations and other emergencies, allowing authorities to identify the exact location of vessels in trouble.

The tracking initiative strengthens safety at sea and ensures quicker, more coordinated emergency responses, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of fishermen operating in Guyana’s waters.