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 The
Indian Coast Guard is the fourth service created to guard
Republic of India's vast coastline. It was created on 19 August
1978 as an independent entity as per the Coast Guard Act.
Indian Coast Guard is an Armed forces of India and, ICG is
not a part of the Indian Paramilitary Forces. .
The coast guard works closely
with the Indian navy and the Indian Customs Department. India's
coast guard has a large number of fast craft including hovercrafts
and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas, river mouths and also
lakes in Kashmir bordering the People's Republic of China.
The coast guard has performed
a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel
as well as apprehending pirates on high seas. Heavy patrolling
of sensitive areas such as Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai
have resulted in a huge catch of smugglers and illegal immigrants.
Objectives
- To protect the ocean.
- Protect offshore wealth such as Oil, Fish and Minerals.
- Assist Mariners in distress.
- Safeguard life and property at sea.
- Enfore maritime laws with respect to sea, smuggling, narcotics,
shipping and poaching.
- Assist the Indian Navy in times of war
- Motto: Vayam Rakshamah -- We Protect
Our Motto
To protect our ocean and offshore
wealth including oil, fish and minerals : to assist mariners
in distress and safeguard life and property at sea : to enforce
maritime laws with respect to sea, shipping, poaching, smuggling
and narcotics : to preserve marine environment and ecology
and protect rare species : to collect scientific data and
back-up the navy during war
" VAYAM
RAKSHAMAH "
WE PROTECT
OUR SERVICES TO THE NATION
& MARINE COMMUNITY
The Coast Guard is the principal agency for enforcement of
provisions of all national enactment in force in the maritime
zones of India and provides following services to the Nation
and marine community.
- Ensuring safety and protection of the artificial islands,
offshore installations and other structure in our maritime
zones.
- Providing protection to fishermen and assistance to them
at sea while in distress.
- Preservation and protection of our maritime environment
including prevention and control of maritime pollution.
- Assistance to the Department of Custom and other authorities
in anti-smuggling operations.
Enforcement of MZI Acts.
- Initiating measures for the safety of life and property
at sea.
History
In 1974, the Government of
India set out to create an autonomous coast guard to protect
the nation's long coast line. This coast guard was modelled
on the lines of the British and American coast guards.
In August 1976, the Maritime
Zones of India Act was passed, which defined the Exclusive
Economic Zones surrounding the Indian sub-continent where
Indian sovereignty would be applied.
On 1 February 1977 an interim Coast Guard organisation was established,
with the help of the Indian Navy, which began to put into place
the necessary infrastructure for a national maritime policing
service. The duties and functions of the service were formally
defined in Coast Guard Act, which was passed on the 18 August
1978, and came into effect on the 19 August. The Coast Guard
was to become responsible for the policing of over 2.01 million
square kilometres of ocean, with the stated objective of providing
offshore security, marine environmental security, coastal security,
marine safety, scientific assistance and national defence. The
area under it's control was to include 1197 islands and a coastline
of 7517 kilometres.
Begining in 1978 with two old frigates seconded by the Navy
and five small patrol vessels, the ICG expanded over the following
two decades to attain a force level of 52 ships and craft
and 35 aircraft and helicopters. An Air Wing was formed in
1982 with Indian Navy assistance to aid the surface fleet.
The first helicopter Squadron was formally commissioned in
May 1982 and the first fixed-wing unit was activated in 1982.
Bases
The Coast Guard is headed
by a Director General. Its headquarters is based in the capital,
New Delhi. It has:
- 3 Regional headquarters at Mumbai, Chennai, and Port Blair
- 1 District Headquarters in each of the nine coastal states
and 2 in the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
and Lakshadweep Islands.
- 4 Coast Guard Stations, one each at Vadinar, Okha, Tuticorin
and Mandapam.
- It also has aerodromes in Daman and Chennai
- Air Enclaves at Goa, Kolkata and Port Blair.
Current Status
The duties of the Air Wing are defined as: Air Surveillance
of the EEZ, Ensuring Pollution Prevention measures, Providing
Assistance to Fishermen and Search and Rescue. In recent years
it has achieved some major successes in anti-piracy operations.
The service carries out regular operations and exercies with
the Indian Navy, to maximise operational efficiency.
Future Plans
The ICG has plans for an eventual fleet of 36 light observation
helicopters, 12 rescue helicopters, 36 coastal patrol aircraft
and 9 long range surveillance aircraft.
For details visit indiancoastguard.nic.in
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Indian Coast Guard (Bharatiya Thatrakshak)