With imperatives to validate the National M-SAR construct through an ‘all-inclusive’ and ‘collaborative’ approach, National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercises & Workshop (SAREX-24) will be conducted under the aegis of the NMSAR Board at Kochi from 27-30 Nov 24.
Taking cognizance of the vast 4.6 Million Sq Kms of Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR) bestowed to India, ICG has been a proponent of cooperative engagements not only with the resource agencies but also with littorals and friendly foreign countries.
Response operations to large-scale contingencies at sea termed Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) will be the essence of 11TH edition of SAREX-24. The theme of the exercise will be “Enhancing Search and Rescue capabilities through Regional Collaboration” to signify ICG’s commitment and resolute to provide succor during large-scale contingencies regardless of location, Nationality, or circumstances in the ISRR and beyond. The two-day event will be inaugurated by Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Defence Secretary in the presence of Director General S Paramesh, PTM, TM, Director General, Indian Coast Guard who is also the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority.
About The Events
Day one of the events i.e. 28 Nov 24 will have various programmes which include Table Top exercises, Workshops, Seminars, etc involving the participation of Senior officials from Government agencies, Ministries & Armed Forces, various stakeholders, and Foreign delegates. On the second day of the event, the Sea exercise involving two large-scale contingencies will be carried out off the Kochi coast with the participation of Ships & Aircraft of ICG, Navy, IAF, Passenger Vessel & Tug from Cochin Port Authority, and boats from the Customs.
The 1st contingency will simulate distress onboard a passenger vessel having 500 passengers onboard. whereas, the 2nd scenario will depict the ditching of civil aircraft with 200 passengers. The response matrix in the sea exercise will involve various methodologies to evacuate distressed passengers wherein the advent of new-age technology using satellite-aided distress beacons, Drones to deploy a life buoy, air-droppable life rafts, operation of remote-controlled life buoys, etc will be demonstrated.
The exercise is designed not only to evaluate the efficiency of operations and coordination with national stakeholders but also to aptly focus on cooperative engagements with the littorals and Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs).
Over the years, the Indian Coast Guard has evolved as a premier maritime agency rightfully steering the efforts of the Gol towards a stable and effective M-SAR construct. Now ICG also has added responsibility wherein a MoU has been signed with Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member states for coordinating SAR in the Indian Ocean Region and ICG has been nominated as the implementing agency as per the provisions of the MoU. Further, ICG has also been nominated as the nodal agency for SAR activities in the Indo-Pacific Region. ICG’s increased focus on the maritime safety aspect will go a long way in strengthening India’s global responsibility in sync with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India`s vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region, i.e. SAGAR’.
