In a major step toward enhancing maritime safety in one of India’s most strategically vital regions, the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (A&N), conducted comprehensive Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) workshops and mock drills at Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 9 in Diglipur and No. 10 in Campbell Bay earlier today.
The event brought together senior officers and operational teams from various Indian Coast Guard units to strengthen preparedness and inter-agency coordination during maritime emergencies. Uniformed personnel gathered at the coastal facility in Diglipur under the banner of the M-SAR workshop, reaffirming the Indian Coast Guard’s motto, “वयम् रक्षामः” (We Protect), and its commitment to safeguarding the maritime domain.
Mock drills held at sea featured Coast Guard vessels navigating through the turquoise waters of the archipelago, simulating high-stakes rescue operations. A smaller inflatable craft with team members in yellow life jackets maneuvered alongside a larger vessel marked “भारतीय तटरक्षक” (Indian Coast Guard), hull number C-416, practicing swift and coordinated response scenarios.
In another session aboard a Coast Guard ship, trainees were briefed on life-saving techniques and the proper handling of rescue equipment. Officers emphasized the importance of operational readiness in responding to distress calls in the often challenging maritime environment of the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands serve as a strategic maritime outpost for India, located near major international sea lanes and increasingly monitored due to growing Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean. Recent initiatives, such as the rebasing of ICG ships Rajtarang and Rajkiran to Diglipur and Campbell Bay in April 2024, have significantly enhanced the Indian Coast Guard’s reach and rapid response capabilities.
These workshops support the broader national effort to transform the island chain into a maritime, startup, and digital connectivity hub. Under the Rs 10,000 crore development plan launched in 2015, initiatives like Digital India are extending critical services to remote regions, with the Island Development Agency continuing to monitor and drive progress.
As India’s only tri-services command, the ANC plays a crucial role in ensuring integrated maritime defence and security. Today’s workshop exemplifies the collaborative resolve of the armed forces to protect the region’s fragile ecosystem, secure its borders, and uphold maritime law, while enhancing the capabilities of personnel tasked with life-saving missions across this strategically critical maritime frontier.
