FOCUSED ON MARITIME SAFETY AND SECURITY’
THE
INDIAN COAST GUARD -
‘FOCUSED ON
MARITIME SAFETY AND SECURITY’
New Delhi, 01
Feb 2012
The
Indian Coast Guard is celebrating its 35th anniversary on 01 Feb 2012. Since its
inception, the
service has grown into a multi-faceted and vibrant force, maintaining ‘round the clock’ vigil in the Maritime
Zones of India, by deploying its multi-role ships and aircraft.
Beginning with a modest inventory of
two ex-naval frigates, the service today boasts of a force-level of 68 ships
and 52 aircraft. During the past year,
one ship, four interceptor boats, four Dornier aircraft and two Chetak
helicopters have been commissioned into service, in
addition to the establishment of six CG Stations and two Air Enclaves.
The
Indian Coast Guard today, is on a path of rapid expansion, as a large number of
state-of-art ships, boats and aircraft are under-construction at various
shipyards/PSUs. The service is expected to attain a force-level of 77 surface platforms and 56
aircraft by end 2012. The Coast Guard will also have 42 CG Stations, four Air Stations and 11 Air Enclaves
functioning all along the coast, by the end of 2012.
On the manpower front, the
service has initiated several measures to augment its manpower viz.
introduction of short service appointment for women officers and CPL holders,
increase in number of recruitment centres, departmental promotions of
outstanding Subordinate Officers and conduct of special recruitment drives.
As
far as CG operations are concerned, an average of 18 ships and five aircraft
are tasked daily, to keep the vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and coastline
under constant surveillance. Further, the establishment of Coastal
Surveillance Network (CSN) is being progressed to boost the surveillance
capabilities along the coastline. 46 CSN Stations are being set-up under Phase-I of the project.
Coastal
Security has been on the fore-front of CG operations for the past few years.
Today, Coast Guard stations and coastal marine police stations are functioning
as ‘Hub and Spoke’ for information outflow. Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs) for coastal security of all the coastal States / Union Territories have
been promulgated by the Indian Coast Guard. Synergy amongst various
stake-holders is achieved by conduct of regular exercises and operations, and
subsequent review of the SOPs. 17 such exercises and 19 operations have been conducted during
the last one year.
The
service has also formed a bond with fishermen, by conducting regular community
interaction programmes, so that they act as ‘eyes and ears’ for coastal
security. About 400 such community interaction programs have been conducted since
Jan 2011. Provisioning of biometric identity cards for fishermen and uniform
registration of fishing boats for precise identification at sea, is under
progress.
Search and Rescue
operations within the Indian Search and Rescue Region are undertaken by the Indian
Coast Guard. Professional and dedicated efforts of the service have resulted in
saving of 415 lives last year. A Search
and Rescue exercise was also conducted off Mumbai on 14 Jan 12, in which international
observers from seven countries participated.
The
Indian Coast Guard has carved a niche for itself at the international level and
is today recognised as a leading Coast Guard in the region. Institutionalized
visits as per Memorandum of Cooperation/Understanding with Japan Coast Guard
and Korea Coast Guard are being conducted
regularly. On 29 Jan 12, a combined Indo-Japan Coast Guard exercise was
conducted off Chennai. The Indian Coast Guard, also hosted a Capacity Building
Workshop with ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and
Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) in Nov last year, at Goa. In addition, a
bi-annual Joint exercise ‘Dosti’ is also conducted with the Maldives National
Defence Force.
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