Fishing boats are small fishing crafts, mostly wooden built and operate in local coastal waters. They can be non-mechanised such as Vallams and Catamarans or may be mechanized ones of steel construction. In view of their smaller size and limited engine power, their operations are normally restricted to a distance of 20 NM from shore. Vallams and Cattamarans are not permitted to ply beyond 10 NM from shore.