The Indian Coast Guard conducted its maiden joint exercise with the Vietnam Coast Guard in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Chennnai, on Thursday.
The exercise — Sahyag HOP TAC-2018 — was aimed at enabling the Coast Guard units of the two countries to acquaint themselves with each other’s capabilities, strengthening the working-level relationship to rescue lives at sea and refining joint operation procedures, a press release said.
Three Indian Coast Guard ships — ICG Shaurya, Arnvesh and C-431 — and two helicopters, ICG Dornier and Chetak, took part in the exercise showcasing the search and rescue (SAR) capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard.
Vietnam Coast Guard vessel, CSB 8001, arrived in Chennai on Tuesday to take part in the joint exercise and to enhance interoperability.
The joint exercise simulated a scenario involving rescue of crew from a hijacked oil tanker, interdiction of a pirated vessel, joint boarding operation and external fire-fighting to salvage burning ships.
