The Indian Coast Guard District, Karnataka, on Wednesday organised a workshop for effective management of search and rescue (SAR), primarily aiming at increasing the involvement of fishermen community and to foster them as friends.
In his introductory remarks, Coast Guard Karnataka Commander, DIG, S.S. Dasila, said no human life was lost during the recent cyclones and heavy rains in the sea following active coordination between various agencies concerned, including fishermen, district administrations, coastal police, NMPT and others.
Given the vast search and rescue region of 4.6 million square km and with multiplicity of stakeholders, Mr. Dasila said Coast Guard recognises fishermen as a very powerful asset. "They are our eyes and ears not only for coastal security mechanism, but also to keep the coast safe."
Indian Coast Guard is entrusted with the task of coordinating SAR in Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISSR). India acceded to the International Maritime Organisation SAR Convention, 1979, in the year 2001. The accession provided much needed impetus for regional and international cooperation in SAR operations, he said. ICG is the nodal agency for maritime search and rescue in ISSR under the convention.
Mr. Dasila noted that ICG is also mandated to provide protection to fishermen including assistance to them at sea while in distress and safety of life and property as per the Coast Guard Act, 1978. Necessary regulations are introduced under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, to ensure communication equipment carriage requirement and operation of radio equipment by all sea going vessels necessary for carrying out SAR missions.
The Commander said ICG, Karnataka, has saved 828 lives with 200 SAR missions since its inception in 2000 and up to November 13.
Deputy Commissioner S. Sasikanth Senthil, who was supposed to inaugurate the workshop, attended it at a later stage.
