INDIAN COAST GUARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Security)

Context: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 21st National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSAR) meeting recently.

Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

• Establishment: 1978.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry Of Defence.
• Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi

oIt was established in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent armed force of India.

oIt is the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world.

• Five Coast Guard Regions: North-West, West, East, North-East and Andaman & Nicobar, with the respective Regional Headquarters located at Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Port Blair.

National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSAR)

• The NMSAR Board was formed in 2002.
• The Board meeting is being held annually to discuss policy issues, formulate guidelines/ procedures and consider recommendations for reviewing the National Search and Rescue plan. 
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman emphasised on synergy amongst the stakeholders to  ensure  safer  sea for all seafarers.