About Indian
Coast Guard (Bharatiya Thatrakshak)
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
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To protect the ocean.
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Protect offshore wealth such as Oil, Fish and Minerals.
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Assist Mariners in distress.
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Safeguard life and property at sea.
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Enfore maritime laws with respect to sea, smuggling,
narcotics, shipping and poaching.
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Assist the Indian Navy in times of war
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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.
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Ensuring safety and protection of the artificial
islands, offshore installations and other structure
in our maritime zones.
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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.
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Assistance to the Department of Custom and other
authorities in anti-smuggling operations.
Enforcement of MZI Acts.
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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:
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3 Regional headquarters at Mumbai, Chennai, and
Port Blair
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1 District Headquarters in each of the nine coastal
states and 2 in the Union territories of Andaman and
Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands.
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4 Coast Guard Stations, one each at Vadinar, Okha,
Tuticorin and Mandapam.
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It also has aerodromes in Daman and Chennai
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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