Nancowry, Nov. 30: A training programme on ‘Defects and Troubleshooting of Boat Engines’ for fishermen of the Nancowry group of Islands was organised by the Department of Fisheries, A&N Administration with technical support from CIFNET, Cochin and funded by the NFDB, Hyderabad at Kamorta yesterday under the PMMSY scheme.
The programme was inaugurated by Shri Aditya Sangotra, Assistant Commissioner, Nancowry, who lauded the initiative of the Department of Fisheries in bringing nationally reputed technical institution to Nicobar region for the upliftment and skill enhancement of local fishermen. In his address, he emphasized that acquiring basic knowledge of engine defects and troubleshooting is not merely a technical skill but a critical life-saving capability for fishermen who often operate in challenging sea conditions. He noted that timely self-diagnosis of engine issues can prevent breakdowns during fishing voyages, reduce dependency on external repair facilities, improve operational efficiency, and significantly cut maintenance costs.
The training was conducted by a team from CIFNET comprising Shri S. Viswanathan, Instructor (ME) and Course Coordinator, Shri E. Praveen, Instructor (ME), Sh. Antony Rejoy, Instructor (S&N), and Shri V. Naresh Kumar, EDCL-II, who delivered comprehensive theoretical sessions along with hands-on practical demonstrations, enabling fishermen to identify common engine faults, understand preventive maintenance techniques, and confidently perform basic repairs onboard.
A total of 50 fishermen from the Nancowry area participated and received certificates upon completion, gaining vital skills that will enhance safety, reduce operational downtime, and improve their livelihood prospects.