NEW DELHI: All maritime agencies must maintain a 24×7 vigil and a pro-active approach to thwart both conventional and non-conventional threats emanating from the sea, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday, while inaugurating new Coast Guard facilities in south India.
The facilities include a maritime rescue coordination centre (MRCC) and regional marine pollution response centre (RMPRC) at Chennai as well as an air enclave at Puducherry.”These will ensure robust maritime security and provide efficient responses to emergencies, reinforcing the country’s commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection,” an official said.
The MRCC, with the latest equipment for monitoring by terrestrial and satellite systems and advanced communication systems, will enhance air and sea operations to rescue mariners and fishermen in distress at sea. It will serve as the nerve centre for coordinating all maritime rescue operations on the east coast of India and beyond.
The RMPRC, in turn, is the first of its kind facility for coordinating the response against marine pollution, especially oil and chemical spills. First announced by Singh during a Indo-Asean meeting in Cambodia in Nov 2022, the centre will also train Indian and foreign personnel in the arena.
“The air enclave, equipped with Chetak and advanced light helicopters, will play a vital role in maritime security along the Puducherry-south Tamil Nadu coast,” the official said.
The facilities include a maritime rescue coordination centre (MRCC) and regional marine pollution response centre (RMPRC) at Chennai as well as an air enclave at Puducherry.”These will ensure robust maritime security and provide efficient responses to emergencies, reinforcing the country’s commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection,” an official said.
The MRCC, with the latest equipment for monitoring by terrestrial and satellite systems and advanced communication systems, will enhance air and sea operations to rescue mariners and fishermen in distress at sea. It will serve as the nerve centre for coordinating all maritime rescue operations on the east coast of India and beyond.
The RMPRC, in turn, is the first of its kind facility for coordinating the response against marine pollution, especially oil and chemical spills. First announced by Singh during a Indo-Asean meeting in Cambodia in Nov 2022, the centre will also train Indian and foreign personnel in the arena.
“The air enclave, equipped with Chetak and advanced light helicopters, will play a vital role in maritime security along the Puducherry-south Tamil Nadu coast,” the official said.