Indian Coast Guard : News, Pictures and Discussions.

[RISING SUN]

US trains Indian security agencies in maritime interdiction tactics
A total of 18 officers of Indian Coast Guard and police forces belonging to various states in the country attended a maritime interdiction of terrorism training from September 11 to 29 at the Indian Coast Guard station, Okha.

The training was conducted by the Anti Terrorism Assistance, Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the USA under the anti-terrorism assistance pact between India and the USA.

The training covered theory and practical classes on personal safety, room intervention techniques, boarding tactics, frisking and searching techniques. The three-week training also covered training onboard marine platform where participants were taken to a ship for simulated boarding exercises, with many equipment having been brought from the USA. Maritime interdiction aims at disrupting and destroying enemy forces before they cause any harm to friendly forces.

Inspector General Rakesh Pal, commander, Coast Guard Region (North-West), who attended the concluding ceremony on Friday, said maritime security is a dynamic phenomenon and it holds enormous challenges to the security agencies at sea and land.

"History bears witness to different dimensions in which the sea can be used. On one hand, the sea seamlessly connects the world, brings in benefits of prosperity through trade and commerce, with its resources always available for humanity, but on the other there are always threats of piracy, armed robbery, drug, human and arms trafficking and terrorism emanating from it," Pal said

These threats have plagued the human civilization since ages and thus force us to design and develop appropriate strategies to tackle them, he added.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...interdiction-tactics/articleshow/60887562.cms

Coast Guard prevents grounding of barge off Mumbai harbour
In a swift response, alert Indian Coast Guard ships on patrol averted a major accident off the Mumbai harbour on Friday.

At about 3:00 pm Friday, the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre received a call from regarding massive flooding on a barge - MT Ellysia - located 10 kms off Mumbai coast.

The Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Mumbai then diverted interceptor boat ICGS C-154, which was on patrol, and ICGS Sankalp, which was at sea, to provide immediate assistance to the distressed barge.

Within half and hour, the interceptor reached reached the distressed barge, and a team of Coast Guard personnel disembarked with de-flooding equipment.

The barge's engine room was reported to have been flooded. The ship's seven screw members were rescued and the Coast Guard team began de-flooding operations.

Meanwhile, ICGS Sankalp too arrived and a team from the ship disembarked the supplement the de-flooding operations.

The barge was successfully flooded and was towed to safe waters for further assistance.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/barge-mt-ellysia-mumbai-harbour-flood-coast-guard/1/1058827.html

 

[RISING SUN]

Two fishing boats engaged in bull trawling seized
Indian Coast Guard handed over two fishing boats to the Coastal Security Police in Karwar for action after they were found conducting bull trawling which is banned in the State, on Monday.

A Coast Guard release said here on Tuesday that Coast Guard Ship C-420, while on surveillance patrol, carried out boarding operation on the two fishing boats, Sagar Kusum and Sagar Kusum V, at about 3 p.m. on Monday, off the coast.

“The boats were found conducting illicit and unauthorised bull trawling which is banned as per the State government guidelines,” the release said.

The vessels were boarded and thoroughly investigated and it was found that the boat documents were incomplete, registration and fishing licence were not valid and some crew members were not in possession of valid identity proof.

The boats were handed over to Coastal Security Police at 8 p.m. for further action, the release said. It may be mentioned here that in bull trawling, two marginally big-sized boats tie the net and drag it for kilometres together to bag the entire shoal of fish.

As a result, there is a decline in fish catch and all fishermen do not to get enough catch.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-pape...d-in-bull-trawling-seized/article19794248.ece

 

[RISING SUN]

Sagar Kavach achieves synergy for coastal security
The bi-annual Sagar Kavach Exercise, which was conducted for two days from Wednesday along the 1,600km-long Gujarat's coastline and also encompassed the Union Territory of Daman & Diu, achieved synergy in operations in all spheres of coastal security against threats, ranging from unauthorized access of vessels through sea using commandeered fishing boats, capture of high value targets, infiltration through creeks, attack on offshore installations, port security, hostage crisis, threat to industries etc.

The maritime coastal security exercise introduced post 26/11 for validating coastal security standard operating procedures by all stakeholders for protection of vulnerable areas put to test the efficacy of men and material to prevent infiltrations by non-state actors into our coastal areas through mock attacks. Ships and aircraft of Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy, UAVs of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, personnel from police commandos and patrol boats of BSF, marine police and Indian Customs took part in the exercise, which was coordinated by Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (NW), Gandhinagar. Port security boats and harbour tugs were also deployed for the exercise that also had contingents from Indian Army, CRPF and many departments of state and central governments.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...for-coastal-security/articleshow/60977584.cms

 

[RISING SUN]

GSL lays keel for second CGOPV
Goa Shipyard (GSL) has begun construction of the second new Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (CGOPV) for the Indian Coast Guard, the company announced on 5 October.

GSL is building five CGOPVs under a contract with the Indian Ministry of Defence signed in August 2016. Construction of the first vessel began in November 2016.

The vessels are based on an in-house design of GSL. The 2,400 tonnes vessels will be equipped with quick response boats for search and rescue and anti-piracy missions.
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/gsl-lays-keel-second-cgopv/

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...body-of-missing-fisherman/article19855194.ece
Kozhikode, October 13, 2017 19:30 IST
Updated: October 13, 2017 19:30 IST

Coastal police reginster FIR based on survivors’ claim of ship ramming their boat
The Coast Guard on Friday recovered the body of one of the four missing fishermen in the boat that capsized around 50 nautical miles off the Beypore coast. Coast Guard sources said the body, reportedly of a Nagarcoil native, would be brought to Beypore early on Saturday for identification.

Coast Guard ship Abhinav from Kochi and a smaller vessel from Beypore had been pressed into service for the search operation. A dornier aircraft had also been used to carry out aerial search in the area.

Fisheries Deputy Director Mariyam Haseena said all the six persons in the capsized boats were Nagarcoil natives. “As per the official communication, the body would be brought to Beypore by around 1 a.m. on Saturday. Ann Mary, a local fishing boat, has been arranged to bring the body,” she said.

The Coast Guard managed to trace the first victim after a 10-hour continuous search in the sea. They also denied reports that the divers found spotted one more body from the sea and had identified the victims.

Meanwhile, the two fishermen, who were rescued by a local fishing boat from Puthiyappa, stood by their claim that the fishing boat capsized after it was rammed by a ship on Wednesday. The two, who were brought to Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, were discharged after being administered first aid on Thursday.

The Beypore Coastal police said they had registered a First Information Report on the basis of the statement of the two rescued fishermen that the boat was rammed by a ship. Investigation would begin into the incident after identifying the victims, they said.

Police sources said the fishers were clueless about the type of ship that reportedly caused the accident. They also confirmed that steps were under way to trace the details of all ships that passed through the channel on the day of the incident.

 

[Hindustani78]

//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/61114993.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard will soon have their respective vessels installed with small and medium-sized diesel engines manufactured by Cooper Corporation,one of the leading manufacturers of engines in India.

A strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was inked between Cooper Corporation and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE), a Government of India undertaking.

The MoU was signed by Sarvjit Singh Dogra, Director (Finance) on behalf of GRSE and Farrokh N. Cooper, Chairman and Managing Director, Cooper Corporation.

This collaboration aims at setting up a fully indigenous product line of marine diesel engines specifically designed and developed for Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, a home-grown alternative to multinational brands currently available in the market.

Cooper Corporation will helm the design and manufacture of these diesel engines for marine DG set application, ranging from 50 KW - 500 KW.

GRSE will integrate these DG set at their Diesel Engine Plant (DEP) at Ranchi and subsequently sell it to their prospective customers- Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Shipbuilders in India and abroad.

Farrokh Cooper said, "It's a very proud moment for us to be associated with Government of India - Ministry of Defence and a big achievement for a company which has graduated from cast iron engine components to contemporary engines. We are glad to partnerwith GRSE and will provide our best-in-class marine diesel engines armed with superior design and manufacturing quality to offer efficient and path-breaking power supply solutions for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.This effort is in line with promoting Government's Make-in-India initiative."

Sarvjit Singh Dogra said, "We are happy topartner with Cooper Corporation for the development of high quality, clean and fuel-efficientenginesto meet the requirements of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.This MoU will facilitate mutual sharing of best practices and expertise, making it a fine example of engineering, technology and product innovation collaboration between GRSE and Cooper Corporation."

Cooper Corporation operates out of 11 plants in Satara, Maharashtra, with the help of experienced consultants from all over the world. Its products have a global appeal and acceptance, including in places like Central America, Africa, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Russia, Ukraine, UAE, Vietnam and Afghanistan.

Cooper today supplies auto parts and engine components to all leading OEMs in India and across the world from Japan to Europe and the USA.


*************

• Light weight and compact (40% Lighter & 25% Smaller)
• Environment friendly complying with CPCB and EURO IV Norms
• Low running cost
• Clean & Green
• Highest maintenance interval of 500 hrs.
• Direct Injection (DI)
• 4 Valves per cylinder
• Oil Cooler and charge Air Cooling System
• Engine performance is optimized for constant speed, Variable load & operating conditions
• Fuel economy & emission has been optimized at source by means of
• Low engine friction, Faster engine warm-up, Optimized combustion
• HLA & RFF used for maintenance free quiet operation & reduced friction
• Poly V- belt drive with automatic belt tensioner is used for quiet engine operation.
• Cylinder liner central line is offset from Crank Bore central line to reduce the frictional losses arising due to piston slap.
• Cylinder Head is Designed for high cylinder peak pressure up to 200 Bar to give good power to weight ratio.
• Cylinder head gasket is a multilayer steel gasket to withstand high peak pressure and increased life.
• Pistons with oil gallery and Piston cooling jets for effective cooling of piston crown
• Fractured splitting process ensures assembly of large end cap on to the con rod, with "unique" and maximum surface contact, ensuring alignment and firm clamping.

***************

• Light weight and compact (40% Lighter & 25% Smaller)
• Environment friendly complying with CPCB and EURO IV Norms
• Low running cost
• Clean & Green
• Highest maintenance interval of 500 hrs.
• Direct Injection (DI)
• 4 Valves per cylinder
• Oil Cooler and charge Air Cooling System
• Engine performance is optimized for constant speed, Variable load & operating conditions
• Fuel economy & emission has been optimized at source by means of
• Low engine friction, Faster engine warm-up, Optimized combustion
• HLA & RFF used for maintenance free quiet operation & reduced friction
• Poly V- belt drive with automatic belt tensioner is used for quiet engine operation.
• Cylinder liner central line is offset from Crank Bore central line to reduce the frictional losses arising due to piston slap.
• Cylinder Head is Designed for high cylinder peak pressure up to 200 Bar to give good power to weight ratio.
• Cylinder head gasket is a multilayer steel gasket to withstand high peak pressure and increased life.
• Pistons with oil gallery and Piston cooling jets for effective cooling of piston crown
• Fractured splitting process ensures assembly of large end cap on to the con rod, with "unique" and maximum surface contact, ensuring alignment and firm clamping.

*************

• Light weight and compact (40% Lighter & 25% Smaller)
• Environment friendly complying with CPCB and EURO IV Norms
• Low running cost
• Clean & Green
• Highest maintenance interval of 500 hrs.
• Direct Injection (DI)
• 4 Valves per cylinder
• Oil Cooler and charge Air Cooling System
• Engine performance is optimized for constant speed, Variable load & operating conditions
• Fuel economy & emission has been optimized at source by means of
• Low engine friction, Faster engine warm-up, Optimized combustion
• HLA & RFF used for maintenance free quiet operation & reduced friction
• Poly V- belt drive with automatic belt tensioner is used for quiet engine operation.
• Cylinder liner central line is offset from Crank Bore central line to reduce the frictional losses arising due to piston slap.
• Cylinder Head is Designed for high cylinder peak pressure up to 200 Bar to give good power to weight ratio.
• Cylinder head gasket is a multilayer steel gasket to withstand high peak pressure and increased life.
• Pistons with oil gallery and Piston cooling jets for effective cooling of piston crown
• Fractured splitting process ensures assembly of large end cap on to the con rod, with "unique" and maximum surface contact, ensuring alignment and firm clamping.
  
  *************
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  • Light weight and compact (40% Lighter & 25% Smaller)
  • Environment friendly complying with CPCB and EURO IV Norms
  • Low running cost
  • Clean & Green
  • Highest maintenance interval of 500 hrs.
  • Direct Injection (DI)
  • 4 Valves per cylinder
  • Oil Cooler and charge Air Cooling System
  • Engine performance is optimized for constant speed, Variable load & operating conditions
  • Fuel economy & emission has been optimized at source by means of
  • Low engine friction, Faster engine warm-up, Optimized combustion
  • HLA & RFF used for maintenance free quiet operation & reduced friction
  • Poly V- belt drive with automatic belt tensioner is used for quiet engine operation.
  • Cylinder liner central line is offset from Crank Bore central line to reduce the frictional losses arising due to piston slap.
  • Cylinder Head is Designed for high cylinder peak pressure up to 200 Bar to give good power to weight ratio.
  • Cylinder head gasket is a multilayer steel gasket to withstand high peak pressure and increased life.
  • Pistons with oil gallery and Piston cooling jets for effective cooling of piston crown
  • Fractured splitting process ensures assembly of large end cap on to the con rod, with "unique" and maximum surface contact, ensuring alignment and firm clamping.
    
    
    
  
  

 

[Hindustani78]

The Director General, Indian Coast Guard, Shri Rajendra Singh calling on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi on October 26, 2017.

 

[MKC]

See pic: In a first, L&T builds Offshore Patrol Vessel for Indian Coast Guard
This is the first OPV class vessel for the Indian Coast Guard that has been built by a private sector yard
T E Narasimhan | Chennai Last Updated at October 27, 2017 11:02 IST

L&T Shipbuilding, currently in Rs 2,500-cr loss, to break even in two yearsL&T's defence supply business set to swell with Rs 4,500 cr gun dealIndian coast guard to recruit assistant commandantsL&T gains 5% on hopes of winning defence contracts worth Rs 40,000 croreL&T: Infra segment gaining momentum


L&T Shipbuilding Ltd is building a series of indigenously designed Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), which are likely to be inducted into Indian Coast Guard in April 2018.

This is the first OPV class vessel for the Indian Coast Guard that has been built by a private sector yard.

L&T was entrusted by the Ministry of Defence in March 2015 to design and build seven OPVs for an order value of Rs 1,432 crore. The remaining six OPVs will be delivered over the next three years.

First of the seven series was launched on Friday at L&T's Shipbuilding Yard at Kattupalli. This is the first of the 07 OPV series under construction by L&T Shipbuilding, which will be inducted in April 2018 after completion of trials on equipment and machinery. The subsequent OPVs will be delivered within a gap of six months.

L&T said that the construction of other OPVs will be delivered ahead of the contracted delivery dates.

About the vessel

The vessel has a length of 98 metres with gross tonnage of 2,100 tonnes and its endurance is 5,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12-14 knots. The maximum speed is 26 knots.

The ship is fitted with one 30 mm automatic gun and two 12.7 mm gun with Fire Cintrol System (FCS).

The ship will have Integral Twin Engine Helicopter which will enhance its operational, survelliance, search and rescue capabilities.9

 

[Hindustani78]

//economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/61270590.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

An offshore patrol vessel (OPV), entirely developed in-house by Larsen and Toubro and the country's first-ever such defence craft to be built in a private shipyard, was today handed over to the Coast Guard.

The vessel named "Vikram", built at Larsen and Toubro's Kattupalli shipyard, about 45 km from here, was handed over to the Coast Guard ahead of the March 2018 delivery schedule.

This is the first of the seven vessels for which the Rs 1,432-crore contract had been awarded by the Ministry of Defence in March 2015. As per the contract, the first vessel was slated to be delivered in March next year.

The vessel, equipped with modern weapon and state-of- the-art radar systems, would be deployed for day and night surveillance patrol, search and rescue and in pollution response operations in exclusive economic zones of the country, the Coast Guard said in a release.

The OPV is designed entirely in-house and became the first defence vessel to be built in a private shipyard.

The vessel was launched by Additional Director General, Coast Guard, V S R Murthy at a function at Kattupalli shipyard, in presence of Larsen and Toubro Board Member and Whole Time Director (Defence Business) J D Patil, Larsen and Toubro Ship Building Managing Director and CEO B Kannan.

According to the release, the ship is indigenously designed and would be inducted into service by April 2018 after completion of extensive trials of equipment and machineries.

The ship is fitted with one 30 mm automatic gun and two 12.7 mm gun with fire control systems. It would have integral twin-engine helicopter, which would enhance its operational, surveillance, search and rescue capabilities.


The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art radars, navigation and communication systems capable of operating in tropical conditions.

"This launch is a reaffirmation of our credentials in the ship-building space as this is our third major mandate from the Coast Guard," Larsen and Toubro CEO and Managing Director S N Subrahmanyan said.

"It is also heartening to note that our team has overcome all challenges to remain ahead of contractual schedules for all the mandates," he said in a statement.

Stating that Larsen and Toubro achieved the distinction of launching the lead ship of a new class of defence vessel, Kannan said that "this (today's launch) reaffirms our capabilities to execute and deliver complex defence projects on time using design, indigenous technologies and construction skills."

Larsen and Toubro, apart from building ships, is also undertaking construction of medium "refit and repairs" of ships for the Navy and the Coast Guard.

"Currently, INS Darshak, a Naval survey vessel, is undergoing refit at Kattupalli shipyard," he said.


Till date, Larsen and Toubro had delivered six refit defence ships including the largest logistics tanker ship INS Jyoti from the shipyard.


The OPV launched today is 97 metres long, 15 metre wide and has 2,140T displacement with a range of 5,000 nautical miles and can reach speed of up to 26 knots.

The entire design and construction processes have undergone dual certification from American Bureau of Shipping and Indian Registrar of Shipping, the company said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vikram-ready-to-set-sail/article19939198.ece?homepage=true

The Coast Guard’s offshore patrol vessel Vikram, built by Larsen and Toubro, gets ready to be launched at the company’s Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai on Friday. | Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

October 28, 2017 16:51 IST
Updated: October 28, 2017 17:18 IST

Vikram, the first of a series of seven Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), was launched on Friday. The long-range ship was built by Larsen and Toubro.

What are OPVs?
OPVs are long-range surface ships capable of coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones, control & surveillance, anti-smuggling & anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles.

Order: 6 similar OPVs have been ordered by the Indian Coast Guard with the same builder

Cost: ₹1,432 cr. The total order value to design and build seven OPVs

An Offshore Patrol Vessels of the Indian Coast Guard | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Timeline | March 2015 - March 2018

The contract was signed on March 2015 and the target delivery of the first OPV was set at 36 months - March 2018 - and subsequent vessels at intervals of 6 months.

Induction | April 2018 'Vikram' is likely to be inducted into the Indian Coast Guard in April 2018 after completion of extensive trials

About 60% components of the ship were sourced from domestic suppliers

Helipad: The ship will have Integral Twin Engine Helicopter which will enhance its operational, surveillance, search and rescue capabilities

Gun: The ship is fitted with one 30 mm automatic gun with Fire Control System (FCS) and two 12.7 mm guns with FCS

Draught: 3.6 m It is the distance between the surface of the water and the lowest point of the vessel

Displacement tonnage:

2,140 tonnes

It is the weight of the ship, measured indirectly by measuring the water displaced by the hull of the ship up to the waterline

Range: 5,000 NM It is the distance that can be covered by the ship without stopping for refuelling

Speed: 26 knots

It is the measurement of speed at sea. One knot is 1.852 km/hr

Photo caption: Live action: (from top) the ship getting ready for launch; and

Width 15 m | Length 97 m

The propellers of the Offshore Patrol vessel Vikram. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

The ship getting ready for launch. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

The vessel being lowered into the water. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
Source: PIB; Graphic: Karthick S.T.

 

[RISING SUN]

Indian, Royal Oman Coast Guards sign MoU
A high-level meeting between the Indian Coast Guard and Royal Oman Police Coast Guard was held at Coast Guard headquarters in New Delhi on Monday under the provisions of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two agencies in 2016.

The Indian delegation was led by Director General Rajendra Singh. The meeting focused on augmenting the operational-level interaction and capacity building in areas of search and rescue, pollution response and maritime law enforcement.

This meeting is in continuation of the efforts by the governments of the two countries to enhance cooperation between the two Coast Guards in the field of marine crime prevention at sea.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen the mutual cooperation in accordance with the provisions of the MoU. A point of contact between the two agencies will be established for information sharing.

Both sides also agreed to exchange best management practices based on lessons learnt during exercises and operations.

In his visit to India, Brigadier Badar Khalfan Khamis Al Zadjali called on senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs.

The meeting was significant in providing added impetus to the already existing professional relationship between the Coast Guards of India and Oman.
http://www.thehansindia.com/posts/i...ndian-Royal-Oman-Coast-Guards-sign-MoU/336494

Coast Guard rescues 9 stranded fishermen
The Indian Coast Guard has rescued nine fishermen whose boat had sunk, and were stranded off Pipavav Coast.

Official sources said the Coast Guard received information in the early hours of October 28 about a fishing boat Jayvanti Prasad sinking eight miles off Shiyal Bet near Pipavav. Nine fishermen onboard the boat later took shelter on an anchored vessel MS Gas Challenger.

"The Coast Guard Interceptor Boat was tasked to recover the men and to assist them in planning recovery of the capsized boat," the Defence PRO said in a release. The release added that reasons for the emergency are being investigated, even as the survivors were handed over to marine police.

ICG negotiates release of fishing boat

The Indian Coast Guard successfully negotiated release of an Indian fishing boat from the custody of Pakistan Marine Security Agency recently.

According to officials, Coast Guard Ship Ankit located a radar contact which was later confirmed as that of fishing boat Al Sha Asht Husen on wireless.

"The boat was in the custody of Pakistan MSA ship. On continuous persuasion, the Pakistani agency released the boat with warning," they said. Officials said that documents of the boat have been seized for imposing legal action and diverted to Okha.

Defence PRO said in a release that increase in Pakistani presence has been noticed along the mutually agreed maritime boundary line. It added that Coast Guard ships and aircrafts operating from Gujarat too have been maintaining round-the-clock surveillance in the area to shepherd the fishing boats away from the international waters.
http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/report-coast-guard-rescues-9-stranded-fishermen-2556622

Indian Coast Guard nabs Indonesian fishing boat with 39 crew members for illegal fishing
The Indian Coast Guard on Monday apprehended an Indonesian fishing vessel with 39 crew members for illegally fishing in Indian waters 140 km south-east of Indira Point, Great Nicobar Island.

The fishing boat Saudara Bahagia was first sighted by the Coast Guard aircraft Dornier on October 29, and Coast Guard ship Rajshree was diverted to the area for investigation.

Commandant Dalip Singh, public relations officer of the Coast Guard, Andaman and Nicobar region, told the New Indian Express, “The Indonesian boat was fishing in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone which is in clear violation to the Maritime Zones of India Act 1981. On being detected by the ICG ship, the intruding fishing vessel tried to flee.”

However the Coast Guard ship successfully intercepted the fleeing vessel along with its crew, said Singh adding that the boat had 10 tonnes of fresh fish onboard at the time of apprehension. The boat and the crew were being escorted to Campbell Bay port for further investigation.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nat...crew-members-for-illegal-fishing-1687630.html

 

[RISING SUN]

India and Oman join hands
DG Rajendra Singh, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard hosting a four member delegation of the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard led by Officer Commanding, Brigadier Badar Khalfan Khamis Al Zadjali at New Delhi from Oct 29 to Nov 3.

A High Level Meeting (HLM) between the Indian Coast Guard and Royal Oman Police Coast Guard was held at Coast Guard Headquarters, on Oct 30 under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two agencies in 2016. The Indian delegation for the HLM was led by Director General Rajendra Singh, PTM, TM. The HLM focused on augmenting the operational level interaction and capacity building in areas of search and rescue, pollution response and Maritime law enforcement.

The relations between the two Coast Guards go back a long way with ICG ships calling on ports in Oman for professional interactions since 2005. This meeting and visit is in continuation of the efforts by the governments of the two countries to enhance cooperation between the two Coast Guards in the field of marine crime prevention at sea.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen the mutual cooperation in accordance with the provisions of the MoU. A point of contact between the two agencies will be established for information sharing. Both sides also agreed to exchange best management practices based on lessons learnt during exercises and operations.

In his visit to India, the Brigadier also called on senior officials of the Ministry of Defence and External Affairs. The meeting was significant in providing added impetus to the already existing professional

relationship between the Coast Guards of India and Oman.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/india-and-oman-join-hands.html

Indian Coast Guard ship undertakes joint training exercises with UAE
Samarth, the first in the series of the 105-metre OPV, is a newly commissioned ship of the Indian Coast Guard
Senior officers of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), on board the offshore patrol vessel (OPV) Samarth, will be undertaking joint training exercises with the UAE Coast Guard.

Simulated search and rescue operations, law enforcement and marine pollution response and control are some of the training activities that the ICG will undertake with Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA), Abu Dhabi.

Samarth, one of the ICG's largest vessel and first in the series of six large OPVs built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), arrived in the UAE on Monday and will be berthed in Rashid Port, Dubai until Friday. Samarth, the first in the series of the 105-metre OPV is a newly commissioned ship of the ICG.

The ship is commanded by deputy inspector-general KR Deepak Kumar, who stated that Samarth will visit four Gulf countries as part of its deployment in the region. "Indian Coast Guard ships have visited Gulf nations before, however, this is Samarth's first visit to the UAE," he said. Clarifying details about the pollution response simulation exercise, DIG Kumar added that officers on board Samarth will showcase their know-how on clearing oil spills from the ocean, with the use of advanced pollution response equipment.

"She (Samarth) is a two-year-old ship and is capable of carrying one twin-engine light helicopter and five high-speed boats. We have extremely advanced and integrated navigation and communication systems on board and are mostly involved in successful search and rescue operations," said DIG Kumar. He elaborated that the ship recently rescued two South African nationals from extremely rough weather, near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian territorial waters.

Senior members of the UAE Coast Guard, Consul-General of India to Dubai Vipul, officers, prominent Indian businessmen and foreign officials gathered on board the vessel on Tuesday.

The consul-general said: "We're extremely happy to have the ICG's Samarth here with us. The joint training exercises are an indication of the positive partnership and friendship that both countries share," he said. The cooperation between our Coast Guards is a vital part of the strategic partnership as announced by leaders of both nations, added Vipul.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation...joint-training-exercises-with-uae-vessel-ship

 

[RISING SUN]

Indian-Coast-Guard-ship-to-dock-at-Hamad-Port
The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samarth will arrive at Hamad Port on Saturday on a four-day visit to Qatar.
In the framework of the deep-rooted friendly ties, multi-faceted and growing co-operation between India and Qatar, this is the second time this year that an Indian ship is visiting Qatar, the Indian embassy said in statement on Thursday.
In January, the ICGS Samudra Prahari had visited Doha in conjunction with India’s 68th Republic Day celebrations.
ICGS Samarth is the first ship of the new series of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) that have been indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited in India. The word “Samarth” means “capable” and it reflects the Indian Coast Guard’s will and commitment to serve and protect the maritime interests of India.
ICGS Samarth, which has 19 officers and 102 other personnel under the command of Deputy Inspector General K R Deepak Kumar, is based in Goa, on the west coast of India, under the administrative and operational control of the commander, Coast Guard Region (West) which has its headquarters in Mumbai.
The 105-m ship is equipped with the state-of-the-art technology, navigation and communications equipment, sensors and machinery. It is capable of deploying Advanced Light Helicopter and Chetak helicopters. It can carry five high-speed boats, search and rescue maritime patrol and engage in pollution-control measures like cleaning up oil spills at sea.
Other features include integrated bridge system, integrated machinery control, power management and high power external firefighting system.
This visit will further strengthen the friendship between India and Qatar as well as enhance maritime co-operation between the two countries, the statement added.
http://www.gulf-times.com/story/569769/Indian-Coast-Guard-ship-to-dock-at-Hamad-Port

 

[RISING SUN]

Indian coast guard saves German in mid-sea operation
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) managed to save a German national who had suffered a cardiac attack onboard a cruise ship on Saturday. According to the ICG, they had received a distress message around 2.30pm, mentioning that a German passenger cruise ship with 1,855 passengers on board had a 75-year-old German, Konrad Anton, who had suffered a cardiac arrest. After the call was received, the coast guard immediately coordinated a helicopter, and a fast interceptor boat was launched within minutes.

The German, Konrad Anton

Meanwhile, in coordination with the cruise ship, the coast guard advised the ship to come close to the Goa coast at full speed. The patient was winched by coast guards from the north of Reddi port and brought to an ambulance which was coordinated to wait at Miramar beach close to Manipal hospital. The patient was handed over to the medical team.

"The patient is now reported to be in stable condition and under treatment by a team of specialists at Manipal Hospital in Goa," the coast guard said.

2.30pm Time at which the coast guard got the distress call
http://www.mid-day.com/articles/indian-coast-guard-saves-german-in-mid-sea-operation/18730163

India, Pakistan working together to combat smuggling via sea: Coast Guard
How secure are our water borders?
We are manning our coastline from every angle. To give you an idea of the numbers, the Indian coastline is 7,516 kilometres long and there are 1382 islands in our waters. When the Coast Guard was established, there were three regional headquarters but post the 26/11 Mumbai attack, we got five regional headquarters and 14 district HQs. Two new headquarters were also set up in Gujarat which at 1650 km has the longest coastline in the country. In order to man the country's coastline comprehensively, we operate 135 ships, 18 hover crafts and 64 aircrafts. More ships are in the process of being added. Also, our lighthouses are being upgraded. So, our marine borders are quite secure.

Which areas of the coastline are the most challenging to monitor?
There are over 2 lakh fishing boats, 12 major ports, 183 minor ports and almost 1900 fishing villages under our surveillance. Our jurisdiction is 200 nautical miles from the shore to the sea which is quite a large area of operation. The problem area I would say is the Gujarat coastline but we are continuously increasing our surveillance to ensure that every point along the coastline is covered. Every day, we have around 35 ships out on sea and at least 8 aircrafts.

Recently, India pulled out of the multilateral Asian coast guard meet in Pakistan. How are our relations with the neighbouring country in the context of marine security?
I could not go for the meet in Pakistan because I had two very important meetings in Delhi. However, I met my Pakistani counterpart in another meeting in Japan. We have MoUs with Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh and five more countries, so our relations with all our neighbours are friendly. We are on quite cordial terms with Pakistan and often help out each other especially in search and rescue operations. In fact, I talk to my Pakistani counterpart every Wednesday. We are working together to combat smuggling since narcotic smugglers often enter India via the Pakistani coastline along Gujarat.

China recently got a 99-year lease for running the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka. What are its repercussions for India?
We have a MoU with Sri Lanka and this development will have not have any effect on our relations.

How are you enhancing search and rescue operations with regard to missing fishing vessels since that is an area where the Coast Guard is often pressed into service?
The Indian Coast Guard is currently the fourth largest in the world after USA, Japan and South Korea. We are also one of the most modernised. We have rescued over 8000 fishing vessels till date and now have started giving transmitters to fishermen so they can send us SOS signals. We are also providing them with life jackets since most of them do not have such equipment. There are more training vessels and patrol vessels in the pipeline as well.

Till now only naval officers became the Coast Guard DG. You are the first to be appointed from within the organisation. Why do you think it took so long for a Coast Guard officer to head the organisation?
The Indian Coast Guard came into existence in 1979 and I am from the second batch of 1981. The reason why till now only naval officers were being made DG was because we didn't have any officers of the required rank but as soon as that criterion was fulfilled, I was appointed. The position comes with a lot of expectations and responsibilities but I think it has opened doors for the other officers from Coast Guard too and will motivate them to do well.

You hail from Uttarakhand. There are others from the state as well who are currently holding top positions in the central government. How do you think the state can benefit from your experience?
Uttarakhand has so many resources and beauty but it needs to be looked after. I have seen that the youth from the hills have immense dedication and commitment. It is because of that reason that I am trying to get a recruitment centre of the Coast Guard opened here. It should be operational before 2019. It can develop into a training centre as well if things work out.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-via-sea-coast-guard/articleshow/61583261.cms

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...g-at-rameswaram-fishermen/article20443304.ece

The marine police of the Coastal Security Group registered First Information Report (FIR) against the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday, based on a complaint from a Rameswaram fisherman alleging that he was fired at even as the ICG denied opening fire.

Alleging that the ICG opened fire at them when they were fishing on the high seas on Monday, two injured fishermen, K. Pichai Arokiyadass and S Johnson, produced a 0.22 cm diameter aluminium bullet as proof of firing. The marine police took possession of the bullet.

In his complaint, Arokiyadass said that he, along with five other fishermen were fishing on the high seas, about four nautical miles from Olaikuda in the shore in Indian waters around 3 15 pm when personnel from the ICG vessel - 77 asked them to stop. When they kept moving stating that they had laid the net and could not stop, the coast guard personnel opened fire at them, they alleged.

The ICG personnel gave some ointment to be applied on the wounds and left after obtaining signature from Sandro, the driver of the trawler in a prepared statement. The fishermen were not aware of the content of the statement, he added.

After they stopped the trawler, four ICG personnel got into their boat and beat them with stick and iron rods for not stopping the trawler. They asked whether they knew Hindi and when the fishermen replied in the negative, the coast guard personnel beat them again and asked them to learn Hindi, he said.

The fishermen were treated at Government hospital in Rameswaram on their return to the shore on Tuesday morning. The bullet, after piercing through the left forehand of Arokiyadass, hit the left shoulder of Johnson, the fishermen alleged. Dr Meena Kumari who treated the fishermen described the wounds as ‘gun shot injury’ in her report. “The two fishermen suffered simple injuries and their conditions are stable,” she told The Hindu.

A case has been registered invoking Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 307 (attempt to murder) of IPC and Section 27(1) of the Arms Act, 1959.

Meanwhile, leaders of fishermen associations condemned the ICG for opening fire on the fishermen and demanded action against those involved in the incident. They have decided to abstain from fishing for a day on Wednesday and stage a demonstration in front of the Rameswaram bus stand on Thursday to register their protest.