Indian Coast Guard

India, Bangladesh exchange 90 fishermen at maritime boundary amid tension

In a mutual exchange between India and Bangladesh amid strained bilateral relations, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) handed over 90 Bangladeshi fishermen for 95 Indian fishermen at the International Maritime Boundary Line, a Defence official said here. The Indian fishermen were handed over by the ICG to the district magistrate of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas near Sagar Island on Monday, he said. The operation was the result of mutual efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), West Bengal government and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in maintaining maritime relations between India and Bangladesh, the Defence official said in a statement. He said that on December 9, 2024, ICG apprehended two Bangladeshi fishing trawlers FV Laila-2 and FV Meghna-5 with 78 fishermen on board, engaged in fishing within Indian waters. The Centre accorded approval for the repatriation of 78 crew members along with two Bangladeshi fishing boats and an additional 12 crew of sunken Bangladesh fishing b

2 pilots, 1 crew member killed as chopper crashes at Porbandar airport

Two pilots and a crew member were killed on Sunday after an Indian Coast Guard helicopter on a routine sortie crashed at Porbandar airport runway in Gujarat and caught fire, officials said. The maritime security agency said the reasons for the incident are being investigated through a Board of Inquiry. "ICG ALH MK-III helicopter CG 859 met with a mishap at Porbandar Airport Runway at about 1215 hrs on 05 Jan 25. The ICG helicopter had 02 Pilots and 01 Air Crew Diver at the time of the incident and was on a routine training sortie," an ICG statement said. Immediately after the incident, the crew was rescued and shifted to a government hospital at Porbandar, where they were declared as brought dead. The deceased are Commandant (JG) Saurabh, Deputy Commandant SK Yadav and Navik Manoj Pradhan. They will be cremated as per service traditions and honour, the ICG stated. Porbandar Superintendent of Police Bhagirathsinh Jadeja said the chopper crashed while landing near the Porbandar airp

Three killed as Indian Coast Guard chopper crashes in Gujarat's Porbandar

Three crew members were killed after a helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) crashed during landing at Porbandar airport in Gujarat on Sunday afternoon, police said. The incident took place at 12.10 pm, Porbandar Superintendent of Police Bhagirathsinh Jadeja said. The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of the ICG with three crew members onboard crashed during landing at the Porbandar airport, he said. The three crew members were brought out of the chopper and rushed to a hospital in Porbandar in a severely burnt condition, he said. All the three crew members died at the hospital, Kamala Baug police station's inspector Rajesh Kanmiya said.

Indian Coast Guard rescues 9 crew members after vessel sinks in Arabian Sea

The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday rescued nine crew members from a sunken vessel under challenging conditions in the Arabian Sea with some support from Pakistan maritime authorities. The rescue operation saw collaboration between Indian and Pakistani maritime authorities, according to officials. The vessel was sailing from Gujarat's Mundra to Socotra in Yemen when it was battered by rough seas. "The Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued nine Indian crew members from a sunken vessel, MSV Taj Dhare Haram, located approximately 311 km west of Porbandar, Gujarat in Pakistan's Search and Rescue Region (North Arabian Sea)," an official readout said. "The search and rescue mission, carried out under challenging sea conditions, showcased exceptional collaboration between the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) of Mumbai and Karachi, Pakistan," it said. The readout by the defence ministry said the vessel had set sail from Mundra, and was heading to Socotra, adding it was batter

Coast Guard rescues 12 Indian crew members of sunken ship with Pak's help

The Indian Coast Guard has rescued 12 crew members of a merchant vessel from the country which sank in the north Arabian Sea during its voyage from Porbandar in Gujarat to Bandar Abbas port in Iran, officials said on Thursday. The vessel 'MSV Al Piranpir' sank on Wednesday outside Indian waters, within Pakistan's search and rescue region. Hence, the Indian Coast Guard carried out the rescue operation in collaboration with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), the ICG said in a release. "This humanitarian search and rescue mission saw a close collaboration between the Indian Coast Guard and PMSA, with both nations' maritime rescue coordination centres (MRCC) maintaining continuous communication throughout the operation," it said. The merchant vessel left for the Iranian port from Porbandar on December 2 with general cargo. On its way, it reportedly sank in the morning hours of Wednesday due to rough seas and flooding, said the release. A distress call was received by the In

Indian Coast Guard kickstarts search, rescue exercise SAREX 11 in Kochi

The 11th edition of the Indian Coast Guard's National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise and Workshop (SAREX-24) is being conducted under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board

Coast Guard to conduct 'SAREX 24' in Kochi from Nov 27-30 under NMSAR Board

The Indian Cast Guard will conduct National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercises & Workshop (SAREX-24) under the aegis of NMSAR Board at Kochi from November 27 to 30, according to an official press statement.This workshop will be conducted with imperatives to validate the National M-SAR construct through 'all-inclusive' and 'collaborative' approach.The release added, taking cognizance of the vast 4.6 Million Sq Kms of Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR) bestowed to India, Indian Cast Guard has been a proponent of cooperative engagements not only with the resource agencies but also with littorals and friendly foreign countries.Response operation to large scale contingencies at sea, termed as 'Mass Rescue Operation' (MRO) will be the essence of 11th edition of SAREX-24.The theme of the exercise will be "Enhancing Search and Rescue capabilities through Regional collaboration" to signify ICG's commitment and resolute to provide succor during large scale contingencies regardless ..

Coast Guard seizes vessel with 6,000 kg methamphetamine near Andaman Island

In a major anti-narcotics operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) seized a vessel with six Myanmarese crew carrying 6,000 kg of contraband Methamphetamine near Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an official said on Monday. The drugs were found packed in around 3,000 packets of 2 kg each, which are worth several crores of rupees in the international market. On November 23, the pilot of a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft while on routine patrolling noticed a suspicious movement of a fishing trawler near Barren Island which is nearly 150 km from Port Blair, the Defence official said. "The trawler was warned and asked to lower its speed and in the meantime, the pilot alerted the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Immediately, our nearby fast patrolling vessels rushed towards Barren Island and towed the fishing trawler to Port Blair on November 24 for further investigation," the official said. "We have arrested six Myanmarese nationals from the fishing trawler and it is believed that the Methamphetamin

Multi-agency Sea Vigil exercise underway off Goa to assess preparedness

The second phase of the multi-agency Sea Vigil exercise to check the preparedness of security forces began off the Goa coast on Wednesday, officials said. Conceived in 2018, the exercise was basically to derive the lessons and actions to be taken after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Commodore Dushyant Purohit, Chief Staff Officer, naval officer in-charge of the Goa naval area, told reporters at Vasco (in South Goa). The first phase of the exercise was held from November 12 to 19. The second phase, which began on Wednesday, will continue for 36 hours, the official said. "A lot of improvement in the coastal security happened subsequent to the attacks. Presently, the fourth edition of this exercise is in progress. The aim of this exercise is to find our vulnerability and where we need to improve in the process of coastal security and defence," he said. "Another aim is to generate lot of consciousness about coastal security in our population for which, this time, we have deployed children

Parliamentary committee reviews Indian Coast Guard's role in security

A meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence was held in Chennai yesterday to review the working of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in ensuring coastal security along India

Coast Guard Chief Paramesh calls on India's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Chief Director General S Paramesh visited Sri Lanka on Monday and met with India's High Commissioner, Santosh Jha, to discuss ways to strengthen regional maritime security.

Coast Guard chief calls on Army chief, discusses ICG's capacity building

Later in the day, the Coast Guard chief called on President Droupadi Murmu and apprised her of the ICG's steadfast dedication to maritime law enforcement and national security

GSL launches two indigenous fast patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard

The Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on Monday launched two indigenous fast patrol vessels built for the Indian Coast Guard for protecting offshore assets, island territories and conducting surveillance operations. The vessels - Adamya and Akshar - were launched ceremoniously by Indian Coast Guard Director General (DG) Paramesh Sivamani's wife Priya Paramesh, amid chants of verses from the Atharva Veda. These state-of-the-art FPVs are designed in-house by GSL to meet the Coast Guard's specific operational needs, a release said. With a length of 52 metres, breadth of 8 metres, and displacement of 320 tonnes, these vessels are optimised for protecting offshore assets, island territories, and conducting surveillance operations, it said. The GSL is constructing a fleet of eight fast patrol vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard, underscoring the shipyard's pivotal role in realising the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in defence production. Addressing the gathering, DG Paramesh Sivamani la

Coast Guard conducts 'Sagar Kavach' exercise along Maharashtra, Goa coast

The Indian Coast Guard in co-ordination with other agencies has undertaken an exercise along the coast of Goa and Maharashtra to protect the country's maritime interests and to test the agencies' collective response to security threats, officials said on Thursday. The two-day 'Sagar Kavach' coastal security drill began on Wednesday, the Coast Guard said in a release. The Coast Guard is conducting the exercise in co-ordination with the Indian Navy, Customs, Coastal Police, Central Industrial Security Force, Mormugao Port Authority and the Goa government's Fisheries and Captain of Ports departments, it said. "The comprehensive coastal security exercise aims at strengthening and enhancing the coastal and maritime security of our nation. The multi-agency exercise takes place along the entire coastline, engaging a range of maritime agencies and stakeholders," the Coast Guard said. "The exercise will simulate realistic scenarios to test and improve our collective response to maritime ...

Paramesh Sivamani takes over as 26th director general of Indian Coast Guard

Paramesh Sivamani, who specialises in navigation and direction, has taken over as the 26th director general of the Indian Coast Guard. The Flag Officer, during his illustrious career spanning over three and a half decades, has served in various capacities in ashore and afloat appointments. Sivamani's sea commands include all major vessels of the Indian Coast Guard which include Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Samar' and Offshore Patrol Vessel 'Vishwast', the defence ministry said in a statement. The Flag Officer was at the helm of the Coast Guard Region (East), Coast Guard Region (West), Coast Guard Commander Eastern Seaboard). An alumnus of the National Defence College and Defence Services Staff College, Sivamani was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in September 2022, and was subsequently posted at the Coast Guard Headquarters here. He was given the additional charge of Director General Coast Guard in August 2024, it said. During the period, many significan

Body of missing pilot recovered off Gujarat coast after a month of crash

The body of a missing Indian Coast Guard pilot has been recovered over a month after a helicopter belonging to the maritime security agency crashed into the Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast, officials said on Friday. Three crew members went missing after the ALH MK-III helicopter fell into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar on September 2. While the bodies of two crew members were recovered subsequently, a search continued to trace Rakesh Kumar Rana, the pilot in command of the mission. Rana's body was recovered from the sea, nearly 55 km southwest of Porbandar, on October 10, the Coast Guard said in a release. ICG (Coast Guard) along with the Indian Navy and other stakeholders continued unrelenting search efforts to locate Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, who was the Pilot in Command of the mission. His mortal remains will be cremated as per service traditions and honour. A warm salute to the three brave souls from Rank and File of the Indian Coast Guard who laid down their lives in the line

China testing us, Biden tells Quad leaders; Modi discusses Bangladesh

Quad a force for good, more strategically aligned than ever, says joint statement

Chopper crash: 4 ICG vessels, 2 specialised ships looking for missing pilot

Two Navy ships, including a specialised one with a "side scan sonar system", and four Coast Guard vessels are currently deployed at sea to look out for a pilot who has gone missing after an advanced light helicopter (ALH) crashed off the Gujarat coast a few days ago, sources said on Friday. The incident took place on September 2 and the ALH was taking part in an operation to rescue an injured crew member of tanker Hari Leela, they said. "The ALH had a four-member crew. One was rescued after the incident. Two bodies have been recovered but the pilot is still missing. Search and rescue (SAR) efforts are in progress to look out for the missing crew member," a source in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) said. Four Coast Guard vessels are currently deployed for the purpose, the source added. On a request from the ICG, the Indian Navy has also deployed two ships to aid in the rescue efforts. "Two Navy ships have been deployed, one with a side scan sonar system, so that the sea floor can be .

Coast Guard chopper crash: Bodies of 2 crewmen found, search on for 3rd

Of the three crew members who went missing after an Indian Coast Guard (ICG) helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast, the bodies of its pilot and a diver have been recovered while search for the third one is still on, officials said on Wednesday. The bodies of Commandant Vipin Babu and diver Karan Singh were recovered on Tuesday night while search is still on to trace another pilot, Rakesh Rana, said Coast Guard spokesperson, Amit Uniyal. "Of the total four crew members on board the ICG's advanced light helicopter (ALH), diver Gautam Kumar was rescued soon after the incident while a search was on for three others - one pilot and two divers. On Tuesday night, the bodies of pilot Vipin Babu and diver Karan Singh were recovered," he said. "Another pilot, Rakesh Rana, is still missing. We have deployed four ships and an aircraft to locate him. Wreckage of the helicopter has been found," he added. The incident occurred on Monday night after the ICG launched an operatio

Three Coast Guard crew missing after helicopter crashes off Gujarat coast

One crew member was rescued, but three are still missing after the helicopter crashed into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar on Monday, while on a rescue mission