The Indian Coast Guard is going to host the largest ever National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise ‘SAREX-24’ and the 22nd National Maritime Search and Rescue ‘NMSAR’ Board meeting in Kochi on Thursday.
11th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 11th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2024) off the Kochi coast on Thursday. The exercise was inaugurated by Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and showcased the Coast Guard’s expertise in maritime security and search-and-rescue operations.
38 foreign observers included
The two-day event, which ended on Thursday, included discussions, workshops and maritime exercises. Indian Coast Guard Director General S Parames supervised the activities, which included members of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board and 38 foreign observers from friendly countries (FFC).
Aim to enhance search and rescue capabilities through regional cooperation
The theme of this year’s exercise was “Enhancing Search and Rescue Capabilities through Regional Cooperation.” One of the highlights of the program was a simulated sea rescue operation. It showed a passenger plane carrying 250 passengers had lost contact with air traffic control and disappeared from radar 150 nautical miles north-west of Kochi.
A coordinated mass rescue operation was then launched, involving deployment of Indian Coast Guard and Indian Air Force resources, tugs from the Cochin Port Authority and emergency craft and water ambulances from local authorities. The operation included liferaft drops, evacuation of passengers using helicopters and deployment of drones for lifebuoy delivery.
“The exercise demonstrated seamless coordination between agencies and validated standard procedures for large-scale rescue operations,” the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement.
The event also included discussions on maritime security, operational readiness and strategies. The Indian Coast Guard, which plays a key role in India’s maritime security efforts, said the exercise is in line with the country’s broader vision of “security and development for all in the region”, known as SAGAR. This initiative aims to strengthen India’s position as a reliable maritime partner.