Goa: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) having completed 40 years of glorious service on February 1 2017, has organised an international seminar on “Regional Cooperation for Safe & Secure Seas” in Goa to commemorate the occasion.
Formulated as an interim organisation on February 1 1977, the ICG embarked on its journey with two frigates and five other vessels seconded from the Indian Navy and has now reached a milestone of 126 ships and 62 aircraft becoming a strong maritime agency. The ICG, presently the fourth largest Coast Guard of the world, is a modern force operating with indigenously built platforms.
The Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) is the first regional government-to-government agreement to promote and enhance cooperation against piracy and armed robbery in Asia. Till date, 20 States have become contracting parties to ReCAAP. It is notable that India is a contracting party to the ReCAAP which was signed in 2006 and has celebrated its tenth anniversary during November 2016.
The seminar was inaugurated by Mridula Sinha, Governor of Goa on February 8 in the presence of more than 50 foreign delegates from the ReCAAP Contracting Party States, IOR nations and Middle East countries.
The seminar aims at promoting awareness among seafarers and policy makers alike, on the importance of cooperation towards ensuring safety of life and property at sea.
The three-day event, besides bringing together the prominent law enforcement agencies in the region will also provide a platform for discussions on subjects related to maritime law enforcement, marine pollution response and maritime SAR.
Many eminent speakers including those from ReCAAP, Information Sharing Centre, Singapore, World Maritime University, Indian National Ship Owner’s Association, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), National Think Tanks along with Coast Guard Agencies from the United States and Japan will present their views during the course of discussions.
The event will culminate with the sea exercise off Goa on February 10. ICG surface and air units, Bangladesh Coast Guard Ship Tajuddin too will be participating.
