Gandhinagar: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) organised the 23rd National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting today here in Gandhinagar. As the nodal agency for coordinating Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue in the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), the ICG plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of life at sea.

Director General S. Paramesh, AVSM, PTM, TM, Director General, Indian Coast Guard and Chairperson of the NMSAR Board, presided over the meeting. In his address, the Chairperson reaffirmed the collective resolve to safeguard lives at sea and underscored the importance of efficient search and rescue (SAR) operations as a cornerstone of India’s maritime safety architecture.

National Search and Rescue (SAR) awards for the year 2023–2024 were also presented during the meeting. MV He Yuan Shun 89, a Panama-flagged vessel, received the award in the Merchant Vessel category, while the Indian Fishing Boat Kedarnath Bhole was recognised in the Fishing Boat category. ICG Ship Rajveer received the award in the Government-owned SAR Unit category, and the Vessel Traffic System (VTS), Mumbai Port Authority and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) were jointly felicitated in the Ashore Unit category.

The 23rd NMSAR Board meeting focused on enhancing inter-agency coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen India’s overall SAR framework. Discussions centred on leveraging technology and modern communication systems to improve operational efficiency and maritime safety standards.

As per an official statement, since its inception, the ICG has conducted 4,203 SAR missions, saving 11,805 lives and carrying out 495 medical evacuations equating to one life saved every alternate day. In the past year alone, the ICG undertook 119 missions, rescuing 108 lives and conducting 14 medical evacuations.

The meeting brought together representatives from key maritime and aviation stakeholders, including the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, ISRO, INCOIS, Airports Authority of India, and Directorate General of Shipping, among others. Interactive sessions and presentations facilitated the exchange of ideas and best practices, reaffirming the shared commitment to ensuring safer and more secure maritime operations.