Natural Calamity

Fire-Fighting & Pollution Response onboard MT New Diamond.  On 03 Sep 20, MT New Diamond, a Panama flagged/ Greek owned vessel with 2.75 lakh metric tons Crude Oil reported fire & explosion off the Sri Lanka south east coast. ICG augmented 06 Coast Guard ships (including 01 PCV) and aircraft. ICG ships and aircraft undertook fire-fighting for seven days and the fire was completely doused off by Indian Coast Guard on 09 Sep 20, averting a major oil spill and marine pollution at sea.

Fire-Fighting & Pollution Response onboard MV Express Pearl. Operation ‘Sagar Aaraksha-II’ off Colombo.  On 25 May 21, Indian Coast Guard responded to the distress call from SLN ship regarding fire incident onboard “MV Express Pearl”, carrying dangerous cargo. ICG initiated Operation ‘Sagar Aaraksha-II’ and mobilised ships and aircrafts for fire-fighting and pollution response. ICG in coordination with Sri Lanka Naval/ Coast Guard ships undertook fire-fighting and doused the fire on 01 Jun 21.

ICG Efforts During Cyclone YAAS.  During onset of Cyclone YAAS on 19 May 21, ICG Ships shepherded hundreds of Indian Fishing boats to safety and evacuated 77 stranded personnel from Nayachara Island (WB) on 26 May 21. ICG activated 37 Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) at various locations, mobilised eight ships and undertook 2-3 aircraft for the entire HADR operation.

Rescue of Stranded Personnel From Villages of Navsari District (Gujarat).  ICG Helicopter (CG 802) evacuated stranded personnel from villages of Navsari District of Gujarat during cyclone on 14 Jul 22. During the rescue operation 06 personnel were evacuated by ICG team and shifted to safe locations.

SAR Efforts for Evacuation of Pilgrims from Aground Ferry Vessels: Off Kakdwip.  Indian Coast Guard Hovercrafts (H-186 & H-182) in coordination with MRSC Haldia undertook 15 sorties and rescued a total of 511 pilgrims on 16 Jan 23 from two ferry vessels MV Lochamati and MV Agramati in distress due to grounding 01 Nautical Mile South off Ghoramara Island since mid night of 15/16 Jan 23.

Drifting of NIO Research Vessel Sindhu Sadhana off Goa.. Indian Coast Guard responded to the towing assistance request by disabled ship RV Sindhu Sadhana on 26 Jul 23 in position 266 Karwar Lt 19.8. drifting landwards at speed of 03 Kn. Immediately, ICGS Sujeet and ICGS Varaha on area patrol were diverted to provide assistance to the distressed vessel. Coast Guard ALH ex-CGAE (Goa) was also kept standby at short notice. Despite the challenging and inclement weather conditions, ICGS Sujeet safely towed the distressed vessel to Mormugao harbour and saved 36 lives including 08 scientists.

ICG Efforts during Cyclonic Storm ‘Biparjoy.  During the emergence of the extremely severe cyclone "Biparjoy" over the east central Arabian sea on 13 Jun 23, Indian Coast Guard swiftly implemented preventive measures deploying 15 ships and 13 aircrafts. A total of 26 Indian Coast Guard Disaster Response Teams (DRTS) comprising approximately 500 personnel were activated at various strategic locations to respond to potential emergencies. In a remarkable display of courage and skill, Indian Coast Guard helicopter undertook a sustained operation for approximately 10 hours in extremely challenging weather conditions and successfully evacuated 50 stranded personnel from the jackup rig "Key Singapore“ to the safety.

ICG Effort during Flooding at Tuticorin & Tirunelveli.  Cyclonic circulation in south Bay of Bengal, off Southern District of Tamil Nadu from 17-18 Dec 23 caused flood like situation in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts alongwith extremely heavy rainfall. Tamil Nadu State administration sought assistance of Indian Coast Guard for rescue efforts and supply of food, medicine and other disaster relief activities. ICGS Sujay with integral helicopter was deployed by Coast Guard from Chennai, to launch ship-borne SAR/ relief services in flood affected areas. 05 Coast Guard aircrafts also undertook detached operations from Madurai. 08 DRTs along with food material and first aid kits were deployed in affected areas. The Indian Coast Guard DRTs evacuated 758 stranded persons including pregnant ladies, senior citizens, paralysed kids and district administration officials. 7020 Kgs of food material including 1700 food packets were distributed in flood affected areas.

Grounding of Passenger Ferry Swasthya Sathi Off Sagar Island, West Bengal.  On 16 Jan 24, Indian Coast Guard saved approx 182 pilgrims from grounded MV Swasthya Sathi in position 12 N miles North-east of Sagar Lt. on request received from District Magistrate Purba Medinipur. Coast Guard launched ICG Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) H-182, H-186 & H-188 from Sagar Island & Haldia to provide assistance to the grounded ferry. ICG Dornier was also launched from Kolkata for monitoring the situation and also to render assistance during the rescue operation. A total of 182 devotees were evacuated by ICG ACVs.

International Coastal Cleanup.  Towards ongoing efforts of Government for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Swachh Sagar Abhiyan, ICG through Swachta Hi Seva, conducted various Coastal Cleanup drives in all coastal states/ UT, in the month of Sep 2023. ICG has been coordinating the ICC activity in India since 2006.