Vasco: Indian Coast Guard on conducted Regional Level Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise, 2019 (ReSAREX 2019) on Tuesday off Goa coast to check the preparedness and response measures for search and rescue at sea in a coordinated manner.
The ICG spokesmsan said that the two days event organised by the Coast Guard District Headquarters -11 (Goa) comprised of Search and Rescue Workshop and Table Top Exercise conducted on November 05, 2019 and was followed by Search and Rescue Exercise at sea on November 06, 2019.
He said that a mass rescue operation was carried out off Goa coast wherein for exercise purpose a message was received regarding fire on a passenger the ferry and passenger overboard.
The spokesman said that Maritime Search and Rescue construct continued to remain a challenge amid increasing maritime and fishing activities, which was further convoluted by frequent cyclones in Indian waters.
“The Maritime Search and Rescue services need to respond to every situation with utmost alacrity displaying professional acumen and exercising full coordination with other support agencies. Given the vast search and Rescue Region given to India for SAR coordination, the involvement of multiplicity of stakeholders is an inescapable requirement,” he said.
“The Indian Coast Guard through the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board takes necessary actions for continuous improvement of SAR system. This calls for best SAR training and practices, efficient on-ground coordination and enhanced integration of all stakeholders,” the spokesman added.
The ReSAREX-19 tested the efficiency of operations of various SAR agencies in the Goa state. Five ICG Ships, Dornier aircraft, two Chetak helicopters besides resources from other resource agencies like Captain of port, State Marine Police, Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC) Bangalore, Goa State administration, Goa Medical College and Marmugao Port Trust participated in this workshop cum exercise.
The Workshop and Exercise also assumes significance in the wake of recent SAR operations carried out due to cyclones like “Kyaar” and “Maha” and as well as numerous SAR cases attended by Coast Guard in the recent past, he said.
