By: Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Jan 22:
22 personnel including Officers and sailors from six foreign are undergoing one week course on Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations at Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (Mumbai) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The officers and sailors from Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles and Sri Lanka are undergoing the course being conducted under the aegis of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). The programme is steered by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The ITEC is the leading capacity building platform that builds upon India’s vast and rich network of governance and development related expertise.
The course is modelled on international best practices and covers legal background of SAR, SAR Planning and Coordination, Computation of datum and search plans, case studies, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), lectures on “Harmonisation of Aeronautical and Maritime SAR” from Airport Authority of India and Satellite Aided SAR Operations by Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) The scientists from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) will share their expertise with visiting personnel, an official statement read.
The trainees are being provided practical exposure to SAR coordination techniques at MRCC Mumbai, Rescue coordination centre (RCC) of the Airport Authority of India and DG Comm Centre, an online Marine Casualty Reporting Centre of the Directorate General of Shipping.
The course was inaugurated by the Commander Coast Guard Region (West) Inspector General Manoj Vasant Baadkar in the presence of Chief of Staff and Chief Staff Officer of the Coast Guard Region (West) who interacted with the trainee foreign officers.
Inaugurating the event, Inspector General Manoj Baadkar emphasised need for cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and mentioned that not only our history, culture, economy remained inter-connected but our present day challenges and their solutions are also interconnected and inter-dependent.
The IOR maritime domain is fundamental to global and regional economic and environmental well-being. We have shared obligations for maritime and aeronautical search and rescue (SAR), marine environment protection, conservation measures, climate change, shared responsibilities towards Disaster Relief and shared response towards transnational organised crimes and other maritime challenges, IG Manoj Baadkar added.
He also highlighted guiding principle from Prime Minister’s mantra of SAGAR, that is Security and Growth for All, in the Region and our Neighbourhood First Policy, we endeavour to take our co-operation to next level. This year India has assumed presidency of G-20 and the theme includes “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family and One Future”. Co-operation with our neighbours has always been a priority for us.
He urged the trainees to strengthen the SAR and Ops Construct by assimilating knowledge gained during the course along with developing life-long bonds of friendship as our primary jobs towards Maritime Safety and Security demands Co-operation and Coordination across the seas.
