CHENNAI: To enhance the capabilities of its search and rescue missions under any climatic conditions, the Indian Coast Guard has planned to buy 14 advanced twin-engine helicopters, its Director General, Vice Admiral Anil Chopra has revealed.
Addressing the eighth National Maritime Search and Rescue Board meeting here on Thursday, Vice Admiral Chopra said, “Besides inking contract for global maritime distress safety system (GMDSS) for all Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) in the country, manpower sanctions have also been obtained for another eight Maritime Rescue Sub Centres (MRSCs).”
“While our search and rescue (SAR) efforts are not limited to Indian region alone, a close liaison being maintained with all Indian Ocean Rim nations and beyond,” he added.
Responding to a question on further cooperation on SAR activities, Vice Admiral Chopra said, “Mechanisms have already been institutionalised with Japan and Korea, and further engagement with the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore is also envisaged.”
While commending ISRO’s initiative to supply 1000 low-cost distress alert transmitters (DATs) free for distribution to fishermen of coastal states as remarkable, Vice Admiral Chopra urged the Director General-Shipping, coastal states and the ISRO to look into the certification part of DATs and take measures for mandatory carriage of the equipment by all fishing boats.
Two annual search and rescue awards, which were instituted by the NMSAR board, were also given away during the meet. The Indian Coast Guard SAR Award for the merchant ship with the most significant contribution in saving lives at sea was awarded to MV CSK Fortune, while for its own, ICGS Varad received Essar SAR Award for best efforts in saving 17 crew of fishing trawler Skipper-III.
Besides Coast Guard officials, representatives from Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and several other stakeholders participated in the annual meet.
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