Chennai: The 10th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2022) was inaugurated by Dr Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary here in the presence of VS Pathania, Director General Indian Coast Guard.
The two-day exercise which is conducted under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB) is hosted by the Indian Coast Guard, the nodal maritime SAR coordinating agency for the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).
A defence release said in addition to 51 participants from national Maritime SAR stakeholders, the exercise is being attended by 24 observers from 16 friendly foreign countries.
SAREX-22 will validate the Standard Operating Procedures and best practices during the conduct of a Mass Rescue Operation (MRO). This exercise is conducted once every two years at different locations along the coast of India to simulate and conduct a real-time scenario on maritime contingency including search and rescue.
The theme of this year’s edition of the biennial exercise is “Capacity Building towards Marine Passenger Safety” and signifies the resolve and commitment of the NMSARB and other stakeholder agencies in providing succour during large-scale contingencies within our ISSR and beyond.
In his address, the Defence Secretary said the Indian Coast Guard is playing a crucial and important role in the expansion of maritime infrastructure and supporting the Union Government’s projects like Sagarmala.
He also referred to the recent rescue of 32 Bangladeshi fishermen by the Indian Coast Guard gives the necessary background for highlighting the importance of this exercise.
While speaking on the adoption of the latest technologies by the Indian Coast Guard, the Defence Secretary mentioned the plan of showcasing an unmanned SAR life-buoy developed by an Indian startup in the exercise.
Pathania, in his address, said in the SAREX-22 two mass rescue contingencies will be simulated; one involving a passenger vessel and the other one with a passenger aircraft. He said India’s geolocation at the centre stage of the Indian Ocean Region and the dense merchant marine/fishing always keeps us on guard.
The DG Coast Guard also highlighted that as the nodal maritime Search and Rescue agency of India, the Indian Coast Guard has saved more than 11,500 lives stranded at sea in the last four decades.
