Indian Coast Guard
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Image:IndianCoastGuard coatofarms.jpg The Indian Coast Guard (भारतीय तटरक्षक Hindi: Bharatiya Tatrakshak) 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 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. Image:ICGDronier.jpeg
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Objectives
- To protect the ocean.
- Protect offshore wealth such as oil, fish and minerals.
- Assist mariners in distress.
- Safeguard life and property at sea.
- Enforce maritime laws with respect to sea, smuggling, narcotics, shipping and poaching.
- Assist the Indian Navy in times of war
Motto: Vayam Rakshaamah -- "We Protect" in Sanskrit. (It is seen in Devanagari script on the coat of arms.)
The Coast Guard is responsible for the policing of over 2.01 million square kilometres of ocean and the area under its control includes nearly 1,200 islands and a coastline of 7517 kilometres.
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 (HMCG) and American (USCG) coast guards.
An interim Indian Coast Guard was set up on February 1, 1977 equipped with modern weaponry and quick sea craft with the help of Indian Navy. The duties and functions of the service were formally defined in Coast Guard Act, which was passed on 18 August 1978, and came into effect the next day.
In May 2005, the Indian Coast Guard agreed to set up liaison links with its Pakistani counterpart.
Bases
The Coast Guard is headed by a Director General (Vice Admiral). The force has a strength of 4220, including 750 officers. Its headquarters is based in the capital, New Delhi. It has:
- three regional headquarters at Mumbai, Chennai, and Port Blair
- one district headquarters in each of the nine coastal states and 2 in the Union territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.
- four coast guard stations, one each at Vadinar, Okha, Tuticorin and Mandapam.
- two air bases, in Daman and Chennai
- air enclaves at Goa, Kolkata and Port Blair.
Vessels
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The Coast Guard began with two old frigates handed by the Navy and five small patrol vessels. It has since then grown to a sizeable fleet of 52 ships and craft and 35 aircraft and helicopters. The coast guard relies on a variety of seafaring vessels equipped with modern detection facilities. They include patrol boats of various speeds and capabilities, defence boats, air cushion vehicles and interceptor craft. The air arm of the coast guard boasts has a Dornier Do 228 and HAL Chetak and Dhruv helicopters.