Indian Coast Guard Day is annually observed across India on 1st February which marks the Raising day of the Indian Coast Guard.
1st February 2021 marks the 45th Raising day of the Indian Coast Guard, Operating under the Defence Ministry.
History of Indian Coast Guard:
i.The interim Indian Coast Guard (ICG) came into being on 01 February 1977.
ii.ICG cooperates with Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State police forces.
iii.In 1978 the Indian Coast Guard had only 7 surface platforms, and currently the ICG has 156 ships, 62 aircrafts in its inventory and it is aimed to reach its target force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircrafts by 2025.
iv.ICG is the 4th largest coast guard in the world.
ICG and COVID-19 pandemic:
i.During the COVID-19 pandemic, ICG deployed 50 ships and 12 aircrafts on a daily basis to maintain the 24×7 surveillance in the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ).
ii.They have seized contraband valued at Rs.1500 crore and apprehended more than 10 foregin fishing boats with 80 miscreants illegally operating in Indian EEZ.
ICG and women officers:
i.ICG was the first force to deploy women officers in operational roles on board ships.
Deputy Commandant Kanchan Jadhav is the only women hovercraft officer posted at Mumbai Headquarters.
ii.She was one of the 7 women officers trained to operate air-cushion vehicles popularly known as hovercraft.
Highlights:
i.The preventive and measured response stance of operations of ICG has escorted more than 6000 fishing boats and 40000 fishermen to safe harbours during the 11 cyclones in 2020.
ii.In accordance with ‘SAGAR’ – Security and Growth of All in the Region, ICG doused a raging fire onboard the 333 M long very large crude carrier motor tanker new diamond with 3 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil off Sri Lanka.
iii.ICG has also provided Pollution Response assistance to Mauritius while grounding the Merchant Vessel Wakashio and provided 30 T of Pollution Response equipment in addition to training.
iv.ICG has conducted a National Maritime Search & Rescue Board meeting and followed it up with SAR Exercise-2020 (SAREX-2020) to validate the existing mechanism for undertaking Mass Rescue Operations.
About Indian Coast Guard:
Director General– Krishnaswamy Natarajan
Headquarters– New Delhi
Motto– Vayam Rakshamah
