Kochi: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) concluded the 11th edition of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2024) off the Kochi coast, highlighting India’s commitment to enhancing maritime safety through regional collaboration. The two-day event, inaugurated on November 28 by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and reviewed by ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani, demonstrated exceptional coordination and preparedness in handling large-scale maritime contingencies.
This year’s theme, “Enhancing Search and Rescue Capabilities Through Regional Collaboration,” underscored the importance of international partnerships in bolstering maritime search and rescue (SAR) efforts.
The centerpiece of SAREX-2024 was a simulated MRO involving a passenger aircraft carrying 250 people, which encountered technical failure, lost communication, and disappeared from radar approximately 150 nautical miles northwest of Kochi. The exercise showcased the seamless coordination of multiple agencies in a high-stakes rescue mission, including:
- Life raft deployment by IAF aircraft and ICG ships.
- Passenger evacuation using Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs).
- Crew recovery with Jason Cradle technology.
- Innovative drone deployment to deliver lifebuoys to survivors.
Participants included the ICG, Indian Air Force (IAF), Cochin Port Authority, Kochi Water Metro, Kerala State Administration, and other stakeholders. Resources such as tugs, water metros, Garuda rescue crafts, and water ambulances further reinforced the operation’s success.
The event featured workshops, table-top exercises, and seminars on its first day, attended by senior officials, stakeholders, and 38 foreign delegates. These sessions provided a platform for exchanging best practices, refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and fostering mutual understanding for conducting complex SAR operations.
The successful execution of SAREX-2024 underscored India’s proactive approach to maritime safety. The ICG has consistently emerged as a leader in SAR operations, aligning its initiatives with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR). The exercise also reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a robust maritime framework and strengthening its role as a dependable maritime partner on the global stage.
The presence of international observers further emphasized the global importance of such collaborations in ensuring safety and security across the Indian Ocean Region.
