Coast Guard eyes cyclone marshaling system for fishermen

Due to deaths of several fishermen while at sea when tropical storm "Basyang" (Conson) lashed the country on July 13, the Coast Guard is planning for improved marshaling system that will warn them of threats from a cyclone. Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said he will call a meeting with boat owners to draw up a better marshaling system that will complement ongoing seaborne squads and foot patrols at coastlines. "Susubukan natin mag-imbita di lang Coast Guard. Iimbitahin natin ang ahensyang may mga bangka, kung pwede magsagawa ng marshaling ... para ang kababayan na di maka-afford ng cell phone at [yung mga nandoon sa] fishing grounds na walang cell signal, magawan ng paraan para ma-notify sila (We will invite representatives from stakeholders such as boat owners, to draw up a better marshaling system especially for fishermen who cannot afford a cell phone or those in fishing grounds not reached by cellular signal)," Tamayo said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Tamayo said the proposed improvements in the marshaling system will likely involve fishing villages and communities and local government units. He added there may even be marshaling among the fishermen themselves. Several fishermen were killed at sea at the height of cyclone Basyang, which lashed Central and Southern Luzon, Metro Manila and the Bicol region. Figures from the National Disaster Coordinating Council as of Friday afternoon indicated Basyang's death toll was at 111. Tamayo said that while many fishing grounds are covered by cell sites, many fishermen still cannot get weather advisories via text as their batteries usually run out after days at sea. "Ang problema ang fishermen ang iba merong [cell phone] pero nadidiskarga sa dagat dahil sa tagal ng operation (Some fishermen have cell phones, but batteries go dead after days at sea without recharging)," he said. He said, fishermen who left the shores before cyclone advisories are released have no way of knowing weather conditions. — LBG, GMANews.TV