Manama: Fishermen’s societies last night welcomed the introduction of a new high-tech system as part of Bahrain’s maritime security fence project.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) will boost the Coastguard’s response capabilities in case of emergencies at sea and bolster its efforts to exercise greater and effective command and control over Bahrain’s territorial waters and coastlines and protect them from infiltration and smuggling operations.

Earlier yesterday, Interior Minister Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa signed a deal with UK-based SRT Marine Technology Limited chief executive Simon Tucker to operate the AIS.

The minister said efforts will continue to upgrade and modernise the Coastguard, and other security agencies, by providing them with the latest high-tech equipment to ensure maritime security and enforce the law.

Coastguard Commander Commodore Ala’a Siyadi met representatives from fishermen’s societies and briefed them on the new system. The device will be installed in 7,500 vessels registered with the Coastguard, he said.