With the southwest monsoon expected to hit the Kerala coast in the coming weeks, the Fisheries department has stepped up efforts to enhance sea safety for traditional fishers by deploying trained rescue guards across major fishing harbours in Kozhikode district during the annual trawling ban period.

The initiative, to be implemented from June 9 to July 31 under the supervision of the Beypore fisheries station, will cover Beypore, Koyilandy and Puthiyappa fishing harbours. According to officials, the move is aimed at ensuring a swift emergency response and improving preparedness for accidents and distress situations at sea during the rough monsoon season.

The department plans to engage specially trained rescue personnel capable of carrying out marine rescue operations even under adverse weather conditions. Only registered fishers trained at the Goa National Institute of Water Sports will be considered for deployment. The rescue guards are expected to play a key role in assisting fishers during emergencies, including boat capsize, strong currents, and sudden weather changes that are common during monsoon months.

During the selection process, priority will be given to experienced residents and those who have actively participated in rescue operations during the devastating 2018 Kerala floods. Fisheries department officials said the presence of experienced people would be an advantage for the whole team for effective coastal emergency management.

The deployment is part of a State-wide monsoon safety strategy being implemented along the coast as the authorities anticipate heightened risks associated with turbulent seas and heavy rainfall. Along with the rescue squad, marine enforcement wings will also be part of the sea rescue operations, with additional hired boats.

“Interviews for selecting eligible rescue guards will be held at the office of the Deputy Director of Fisheries on May 28. Physically fit and experienced candidates between 20 and 60 years of age from the fishermen community can attend the selection process with relevant documents,” said a Senior Fisheries department official. He added that the selected guards would be deployed only after undergoing district-level training.

Meanwhile, a section of fishermen and boat operators complained that the Fisheries department was encouraging only the temporary appointment of rescue guards without trying to establish a permanent system for coastal rescue support. They also alleged that the strength of many of the experienced and trained rescue squads was remaining underutilised in the sector in the absence of proper planning by the authorities.