Coast Guard organises boat race for fishing community

Chennai, February 7: As part of efforts to promote better rapport with fishermen, Indian Coast Guard organised a boat race for fishing community near here today.

Fishermen from Nochikkuppam and Triplicane fishing hamlets took part with full enthusiasm and zeal in the race which was flagged off by Tamil Nadu Minister of Fisheries K A Jaypal. Inspector General S P Sharma, Commander of Coast Guard Region (East) was also present.

The aim of this event, organised as part of Coast Guard Day celebrations, was to enhance the level of interaction with the fishermen association in Chennai and to foster goodwill among traditional fishermen of the fishing hamlets, Coast Guard said in a release.

The event created awareness among fishermen on safety of the life at sea, protection of fishermen including assistance to them while in distress by Indian Coast Guard besides sensitizing them on aspects of coastal security, it said.

Three types of 50 fishing boats - fiber reinforced plastic catamaran with engine, wooden catamaran with engine and wooden catamaran without engine took part in which Ravi Chandran, Arivalgan and Sekar Muthuvel won the first places respectively.