ICG conducts maritime security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ off Gujarat coast

Ahmedabad: To substantiate preparedness and synergy between coastal security stakeholders of Gujarat- the state with longest coastline of 1600 km, the Indian Coast Guard recently held an extensive maritime security exercise code-named Sagar Kavach.

The Headquarters, Coast Guard Region (NW), under the aegis of Headquarters Coast Guard Commander ( Western Seaboard ) planned this exercise in a broad the span of area covering Sir Creek to Daman coast. The participation by Police personnel in acquiring the marine role was also the agenda of the exercise. This maritime security exercise was conducted to substantiate preparedness and synergy between coastal security stakeholders. The efficacy of men and material was tested for alertness in preventing any incursion by non-state actors in our coastal areas. The biennial exercise is instituted for validating the coastal security standard operating procedures by all stake holders for protection of vulnerable areas and points including effective usage of coastal security telephone helpline number ‘1093’.The sustained efforts were put against seaborne threats by all stake holders which also included the Fisheries Department of Gujarat State, Gujarat Maritime Board, Kandla Port Trust, Mundra Port, Pipavav Port, Director General of Shipping, Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships, Airport Authorities, NCB, CRPF, GSDMA and Industries Department.

Defence spokesperson Wing Commander Asbhishek Matiman today said that the porous International Maritime boundary line that separates Gujarat from our antagonistic neighbour has been in the limelight lately, for emerging as LAKSHMAN REKHA for the Indian fishermen. The Department of Fisheries having adopted measures to promote the source of livelihood, usually accounts for an array of sea goers in all possible kinds of fishing crafts. SAGAR KAVACH, an initiative amongst all stakeholders of Coastal Security is one such bi-annual platform to exercise their peace time drills. The planning and execution also integrates the State machineries and armed forces based within the state. The vibrant state of Gujarat could amalgamate their skills in successfully exercising the first such exercise for year 2017, by simulating a threat and making efforts to neutralize them, all along the 1600 Nm, longest indented coastline of the state.

 

‘ Indian Coast Guard with the prudent support of the state Government, Marine / State Police , Indian Army, Indian Air Force , Indian Navy and the other major stakeholders revisited the Standard Operating Procedures by this exercise. The event concluded with a two day evolution on 24-25 Apr 17 wherein the ports, private ports , government organizations and mariners displayed their prowess by guarding the permeable coastlines. Ships, Aircrafts, Remotely operated pilotless aircrafts , Electronic surveillance and physical mobilization of troops made it an interesting platform to reinforce the nation’s Coastal security setup. In addition, Patrol boats from BSF, Marine Police, Customs, Port Security and Harbour Tugs were also deployed,’ he said.

 

‘The fishermen in this exercise remain as the overall beneficiaries. The occasion to know the role of each force along with their ability to recognize an intruder in the community is encouraged with such exercises. Apart from soliciting safety drills, this also aids random check of boats, their communication and safety fitments, apart from verification of their crew’s credentials and genuinity of the Boat documents, carried by them. The hub and spoke concept of roping in fishermen in the coastal security mechanism is also to garner intelligence and monitor response from the nearest available security post,’ the spokesperson said.

 

DeshGujarat