Coast Guard holds maritime search and rescue exercise in Mumbai

In a bid to check its preparedness and response measures in crisis situation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday conducted a Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise (SAREX) in Mumbai on May 3.

Coast Gaurd personnel perform at 7th National Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise SAREX-16 in the Arabian sea in Mumbai on Tuesday.

As part of the drill, a mass rescue operation was held after a mock aircraft accident. The SAREX-16, which focussed on Mass Rescue Operation (MRO) post an aircraft accident also activated real time satellite-based distress communication mechanisms such as Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) from the aircraft so as to check the efficacy of distress alert relay mechanisms.

The show at the maritime event

A total of 25 international observers from nine maritime nations - Australia, Bangladesh, Japan, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and United Arab Emirates - witnessed the exercise at sea.

Coast Gaurd personnel perform at 7th National Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise SAREX-16 in the Arabian sea in Mumbai. Pic/PTI

Besides, members from National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board from various Central and state Departments, resource agencies and other maritime stake holders also participated in the exercise.