Thiruvananthapuram: The fishermen who went aboard surveillance aircraft for the rescue of the Ockhi-hit expressed doubts about the effectiveness of aerial surveillance. They said the stray bodies could not be noticed on high seas due to speeds at which aircraft operate. The operation started with an AN-32 aircraft conducting aerial surveillance with five fishers from Pozhiyoor on board from Air Force technical area at 7.15 am. "The aircraft fly at a speed of around 250 kmph. They also fly low to get visuals of possible stray bodies. So before we could make out what a floating object is, we would have passed several kilometres. So, we feel it's just a gimmick," one of them said.
They find surveillance using fast watercraft and helicopters more effective.
Meanwhile, a defence statement said that a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft combed around 10,800 square nautical miles in six hours south of Thiruvananthapuram and south of Kanyakumari. There were allegations that some rescue teams were not picking up bodies due to lack of freezer facilities, which was addressed by availing vessels with mobile morgues. However, the fishermen continued protests at Neyyattinkara on Saturday and officials decided to take more of them aboard aircraft and vessels. The rescue missions on Sunday involved selected fishers, medical officers and revenue officials. Officials of the rank of assistant tehsildar accompanied them.
