Rescue ops in Arabian Sea saved 150 lives in 2016: Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) western region had ​saved 150 people stranded in the Arabian Sea after conducting search and rescue operations during bad weather conditions in 2016. The operations included rescuing the crew of a capsized ship and bringing boats drifting  in the rough sea to the shore.

The western region of ICG includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Lakshwadeep, Kerala and Mahe in Puducherry. Ninety-two search and rescue operations were conducted along with 22 medical evacuations, to save the 150 lives last year.

The 1,836km-vast coastline along with the Maritime Research Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in the first phase have already established 18 radar stations. Work on these commenced in the second phase of the project. Presently, there are 13 ICG stations, 50 ships, and 17 aircraft for rescue and search operations in the sea and to curb infilteration.

With regular induction of patrol vessels, high-speed interceptor boats, hovercrafts, and the twin-engine helicopters, Dorniers, acquisition of medium-range patrol aircraft would soon be added to the ICG’s itinerary.

Calling it an accident-free year, Commandant Sujeet Dwivedi said, “Compared to last year, the rescue operations were less but lives saved were more as the ships and boats which were rescued had more crew members.”

He added: “This year there were no major accidents in the west coast, but our response to distress calls helped save lives stranded on ships, mostly towards the Gujarat coast, which also often sees infiltration attempts.”