Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the newly-constructed state-of-the-art Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building in Chennai today, August 18. He also virtually inaugurated the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre at Chennai Port and the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry. These facilities have been established to strengthen maritime security and enhance the country’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies, a press release said.
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
This state-of-the-art facility is designed to improve the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations for mariners and fishermen in distress at sea. It is equipped with the latest technology for distress monitoring through both terrestrial and satellite systems and features advanced communication systems for real-time alert management.
Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre
A first-of-its-kind, this facility is dedicated to coordinating responses to marine pollution, specifically oil and chemical spills, in the waters surrounding coastal states in the Indian Ocean Region.
Spearheaded by the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters East, the centre is located within Chennai Port. It features an Emergency Response Centre, staffed around the clock by Indian Coast Guard personnel, to monitor marine oil pollution incidents. Additionally, it will provide training in pollution response techniques to various organisations, including ports, oil handling agencies, government bodies, and private entities. It will also offer training to personnel from friendly nations in combating oil pollution at sea. The practical training will involve the deployment of oil handling equipment, providing participants with hands-on experience in real-time oil spill scenarios.
Coast Guard Air Enclave
The Air Enclave will house Chetak and Advanced Light Helicopter Squadrons, both of which are indigenously built and equipped to conduct maritime patrols, Search & Rescue operations, and various other missions from both land and Coast Guard ships patrolling at sea.