Kutch: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has strategically based additional Hovercraft at Jakhau, close to the Indo-Pak Maritime frontier and a capital ship at Vadinar in Gulf of Kutch. ICGS Samudra Pavak, a specialised Marine Pollution Control Vessel will now operate from the new Coast Guard Jetty at Vadinar that was recently inaugurated on 01 March 2024 by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shree Ajay Bhatt.

Gulf of Kutch is a fast developing area particularly in the oil and port sectors where 70% of the country’s oil is being handled through the facilities available in the region. The Gulf also has rich biodiversity, living resources, fisheries, coral reef and mangrove vegetation which are highly vulnerable in case of an oil spill from surrounding oil industries and thus positioning of the specialist vessel by ICG will enhance its capacity to mitigate environmental threats. The dedicated Marine Pollution Response Unit was also raised in year 2018 at Vadinar to provide professional and quick response to emerging situations and most importantly to be a hub of coordination for all stakeholders in the region.

The 95 meter long ship Samudra Pavak is equipped with the advance pollution response and control equipment to mitigate oil spill. It can perform activities in containing and recovering oil in case of oil pollution at sea. The ship is also equipped with two rigid sweeping arms enabling containment of spilled oil in motion at sea as well. The ship is being commanded by DIG Aniket Singh along with 19 officers and approximately 120 Enrolled Personal.

It may be recollected that considering the significance of the Region, ICG had conducted an International level Marine Pollution Response Exercise NATPOLREX off Vadinar in November 2023. The exercise witnessed participation of delegates from more than 30 countries apart from majority of national stakeholders. DeshGujarat