Onboard ICG Sagar: Defence Minister A.K. Antony had a first-hand, exhilarating experience of capabilities and operational readiness of the enhanced fleet of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) during a review display on Sunday morning.

Fourteen ships of different classes, apart from fixed and rotary wing aircraft, participated in the display in the sea around 50 nautical miles off the Mormugao harbour. The three-hour programme was held to commemorate the ICG's 30th anniversary.

The exercises, watched by Mr. Antony onboard ICG ship Sagar, began with a pollution response demonstration by an offshore patrol vessel by laying a high sprint boom, an oil-skimmer and wide spill spray arms to contain the oil at sea. Aerial containment by helicopters using oil spill dispersant and TC-3 bucket was also demonstrated.

This was followed by one of the most important charter of duties of the ICG — search and rescue at sea.

A helicopter picked up a floating survivor from sea using rescue strop. While ICG's Dornier aircraft displayed dropping of life raft for survivors at sea, Chetak helicopter demonstrated mail transfer at sea by vertical replenishment.

Thereafter, Coast Guard ships and aircraft displayed their firing prowess.Dornier firing on the splash target and helo firing, using MMG air version gun, formed part of the programme.

External fire-fighting demonstrations by ICG ships, a facility used to combat fire onboard merchant vessels, boats, etc. at sea, were conducted. The exercise culminated in the afternoon with all ships saluting the Minister in a steam past formation, by flypast of the fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Director-General of ICG Vice-Admiral R.F. Contractor said the exercises were an assurance that the country's maritime interests and security were in safe hands.

"As our country scales new heights and grows in stature, the Coast Guard's role and responsibilities will also increase," he asserted, and called upon his men "to act in tandem with the other three wings of armed forces to thwart the evil designs of subversive and anti-social elements."

Inspector-General A. Rajasekhar, Commander, Coast Guard Region (West); Inspector-General R. Singh, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East); Inspector-General S.P. Sharma, Commander, Coast Guard Region (A&N); and several prominent officials were present onboard.

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