Expert diving teams in all districts soon

KOLLAM : In a bid to facilitate efficient rescue operations during water mishaps, a pool of expert divers will be formed in all districts in the state. The Ports Department will train the personnel recruited for carrying out voluntary rescue operations at the Kerala Maritime Institute, Neendakara, near here.At least four expert divers, who are ready to offer their services at the time of water mishaps, will form the Search and Rescue Team in each district.The training programme titled ‘Jala Suraksha’ will be inaugurated by Ports Minister K Babu at the Maritime Institute on Thursday.Ports director Jacob Thomas said in a statement that the programme had been initiated in the wake of repeated boat tragedies in the state. ‘’The divers recruited will be imparted training in handling state-of-the-art equipment for diving,’’ he said.P Sreedharan, training manager of Maritime Institute told ‘Express’ that the first batch would consist of twenty divers."Equipment and textbook for practical and theory classes will be provided by the Institute. The trainees will be given accommodation and stipend during the ten-day training programme,’’ he said.Sreedharan said that modern equipment would be provided in all districts and a senior government official would be in charge of the team and equipment. ‘’The team member will be informed and put into action during mishaps in inland waterways. Though it is a voluntary service, it has been proposed to give them a good remuneration based on their service,’’ he said.The trainees were recruited after a close screening of their swimming abilities and medical check-up.The training programme will be led by expert divers trained by the Indian Navy and the practical sessions will be held at the wharf of Kollam Port.