The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) hosted the 22nd National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting in Kochi, Kerala, on Thursday.
This significant event also marked the beginning of the 11th edition of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-24), which will take place off the Kochi Coast starting November 29, 2024. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh inaugurated the event and took the opportunity to engage with foreign delegates present.
He commended the ICG’s vital role in providing search and rescue (SAR) services within the Indian Search & Rescue Region and in assisting the fishing community at sea. Singh also assured the government’s full support in strengthening the ICG's operations, as stated by the Ministry of Defence in a press release.
The NMSAR Board meeting was chaired by Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, Paramesh Sivamani, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Board. In his address, he emphasized the collective commitment of all stakeholders to ensuring safety at sea.
He highlighted the crucial role of efficient maritime search and rescue operations in enhancing India’s maritime safety infrastructure. The meeting served as a platform to discuss collaborative efforts to further improve the country’s SAR capabilities, bringing together various government agencies and maritime organizations.
During the meeting, the National SAR Awards for 2023-24 were presented to honor exceptional contributions to maritime safety and search and rescue operations. The awards were presented in several categories.
The Merchant Vessel Category saw the MV Singapore Bulker (Panama-flagged vessel) being recognized, while the Fishing Boat Category awarded Indian Fishing Boats Paramita 5, Geeta, and Bahubali.
The ICG’s Air Squadron 835 Sqn (CG) received the Government-Owned SAR Unit Category award, and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) was honored in the Ashore Unit Category. These awards celebrated the efforts of individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on maritime safety in India.
The event was attended by a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, ISRO, INCOIS, Airports Authority of India, Directorate General of Shipping, Customs, Coastal Police, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Shipping Corporation of India, Indian Meteorological Department, Fisheries Department, Maritime Boards, Port Authorities, Coastal States/Union Territories, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, National Disaster Management Authority, and other relevant entities.
The event included interactive sessions and presentations aimed at fostering greater cooperation among these organizations. The discussions focused on reinforcing the shared goal of enhancing maritime safety and rescue capabilities in Indian waters.
The NMSAR Board, established in 2002, convenes annually to discuss crucial policy matters, review and update procedures, and evaluate the National Search and Rescue Plan.
The 22nd edition of the Board meeting focused on furthering collaboration and coordination among all involved parties to enhance the effectiveness of India’s maritime safety framework.
The discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to improve search and rescue operations and ensure safer maritime operations across India’s vast waters. The meeting also reiterated the critical importance of these operations in safeguarding lives at sea and strengthening the country’s maritime safety infrastructure.
The Indian Coast Guard, along with other government agencies and maritime organizations, remains committed to ensuring that India’s search and rescue capabilities continue to evolve in response to the growing challenges posed by the country’s vast maritime domain.
The SAREX-24 exercise, set to take place off the Kochi coast, will serve as a practical demonstration of the country’s readiness to respond to maritime emergencies, showcasing the coordinated efforts of multiple agencies working together for the safety and security of lives at sea.
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