Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 7 Asian Countries – Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia & Vietnam for cooperation in Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) Operations.
i.ICG is conducting Maritime Exercises & Training Activities regularly with these countries.
ii.India is a signatory to the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979 ratified in May, 2001.
Key Points:
i.ICG-Karnataka is the coordinator of Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) for the Indian Coast.
ii.The SAR has been established in India and is controlled & coordinated by ICG, through 3 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers at Mumbai, Chennai & Port Blair.
iii.SAR communication check exercises are also conducted with Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia & Vietnam.
iv.ICG also hosts national Beacon exercises to test the effectiveness of Satellite-based SAR systems.
v.ICG-Karnataka held a 2-day workshop on Regional Search & Rescue Exercise from December 29-30, 2020.
Recent Related News:
i.On July 8, 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Indonesian Coast Guard (Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia) on ‘Maritime Safety and Security’.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
Director General– Krishnaswamy Natarajan
Motto-“Vayam Rakshamah” meaning “We Protect”
Headquarter– New Delhi
