Safe Waters Safe WatersNEWSLETTER On Maritime Safety and SecurityBIANNUAL Vol XII Issue 2 Oct 2012A Publication of the Indian Coast GuardFrom the Desk of The Chairman National Maritime Search & Rescue BoardTheSafetyandSecurityscenariointhemaritimedomainhasbeenacontinuouslyevolvingphenomenon.Integrationoftheworldeconomyhasfurtherincreasedthedependenceontheseasandoceansfortradeandcommerce.IndiaisstrategicallylocatedastridethenumeroustraderouteslinkingtheEastandtheWest.Theserouteshavewitnessedquantumincreaseinshippingtraffic,whichconsequentlydemandsaneffectiveandrobustSearchandRescuemechanismandinfrastructure.Savinglivesatseaisachallengingproposition.PromptnessofresponseisvitalforsuccessofanySearchandRescuemissionandcouldmakeallthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.Overtheyears,theIndianCoastGuardhasbeenabletoestablishaneffectiveSARregimewiththewholeheartedsupportofalltheresourceagencies. As the designated agency for coordinating Search and Rescue in the Indian Search and Rescue Region,theIndianCoastGuardhasresolutelyattemptedtoimpartmaximummomentumforimprovingSARinfrastructure,servicesandinstrengtheningthecooperativemechanismbetweenvariousresourceagencies.Thesuccessfulhandling of the fire onboard MV Amsterdam Bridge off Mumbai in Sep 2012, is an indicator of effective coordinationamongstresourceagencies.TheproactivesupportfromDGShippingintermsofcircularsanddirectivesandassistancefromISROinsatellite aided Search and Rescue has effectively prevented many potential threats to lives of mariners and aviators.TheoperationalisationofNational AutomaticIdentificationSystem(AIS)NetworkandCoastalSurveillanceNetwork(CSN)wouldsupplementshorebaseddistressmonitoringmechanismandwillaidinimprovingtheSARsystemalongtheIndiancoast.TheissueoftrainingofpersonnelmanningMRCCsandRCCsisbeingaddressedthroughabiannualtraining capsule, which is being worked out in co-ordination with Airport Authority of India and Indian Mission ControlCentre, Bangalore. In addition to training of personnel at rescue centres, it is essential that seafarers, especially ourfisher folk adhere to safety regulations and carry adequate safety equipment whilst proceeding to sea. Indian CoastGuardincoordinationwithIndianNavyandcoastalStateGovernments/UTadministrationhasbeenorganisingcommunityinteractionprogrammesforthefishingcommunityonregularbasis,tobringinawarenessaboutsafetyissuesatsea.Iwouldurge,fisheriesdepartmentsofcoastalstates/UnionTerritoriestoemphasiseontheissueofembarkationofsafetyequipment,byfishermenwhileproceedingtosea.The amendment to the resolution in constitution of NMSAR Board has now paved the way for participation of allthe thirteen coastal states including four Union Territories as regular members in all future NMSAR Board Meetings,which will aid in effective implementation of SAR regime along the Indian coast. The National SAR Plan 2003 is underrevisionandthedraftrevisedSARPlanhasbeencirculatedtoallNMSARBoardmembers.IwouldrequestallNMSARBoardmemberstoforwardtheirvaluablecommentstoenableearlypromulgationofrevisedNationalSARPlan so as to enhance our SAR capabilities and thus help in minimizing the loss of life and property in our Search andRescueRegion(SRR).VAYAM RAKSHAMAHNewDelhi12 Dec 12(MP Muralidharan)Vice AdmiralChairmanNationalMaritimeSearch&RescueBoard3CONTENTSXI NMSAR Board Meeting ... 3-4SAR News ... 4-9Medical Evacuation ... 9-11Maritime Safety & Security ... 11-12SAR Articles ... 12-15From the Editors DeskPlease send your queries and articles to :Safe WatersDirectorate of OperationsCoast Guard Headquarters, National Stadium ComplexNew Delhi - 110 001, INDIATel : +91 11-2338 4934, 2338 3999 Fax : +91 11-2338 3196E-mail : dte-ops@indiancoastguard.nic.inThe Search & Rescue response by Indian Coast Guardwithin the Indian Search & Rescue Region has been gainingfrom strength to strength with the able support of the maritimecommuni tyandresourceagenci es.TheresponsebymerchantmarinecommunitytowardsCoastGuardrequesttorenderassistancetothedistressedshipsintheirvicinity,hasindeedbeenoverwhelming.Thepromptness&alacritywith which many ships have carried out Search and Rescuemissionsatseaisnoteworthy. The recent rescue of 18 crewof MV Saigaon Queen, which sank subsequently on 30 Oct 12,inposition135nmilesEastSouthEastofTrincomalee,isanapt example. The concerted effort of the ICG during the past sixmonthshasresultedinsavingof81preciouslivesatseain67missionsincluding16Medicalevacuationswithclosecoordinationwithallresourceagencies.ThemostimportantaspectduringthecoordinationofSARistheavailabilityofinformationwhichisaccurate,comprehensive and reliable.However, despite instruction formandatoryregistrationofEPIRB/ELT/PLBfittedonboardvessels&aircraftandintimationonchangeofownership,thereareinstanceswhenprecioustimehasbeenlostinconfirming the details of the vessels.EPIRB/ELT/PLB whicharenotinuse,arenotde-activatedthus,resultingininadvertentactivationofdistressmessages.INMCChasalready launched a new online beacon registration portal onINMCC website to make it more flexible in terms of handlingusername/passwordrelatedissuesautomatically.The resolve and determined approach with priority beingaccorded towards achieving the common goal of safer seasin the Indian SRR was evident during the XI National MaritimeSARBoardMeeting.Themeasuresadoptedbyalltheconcerned agencies in supporting ICG efforts was note worthyandIrequestthatthesamebecontinuedforensuringsafeandsecureseas.(Pintu Bag)Commandant(JG)Dy Director (SAR & CS)XI NATIONALMARITIMESEARCH AND RESCUEBOARD MEETING ATCHENNAI ON 24 JUL 12TheXI Meeti ngoftheNati onal Mari ti meSearch and Rescue Board was held at Chennai on24 Jul 12. The meeting commenced at 1000 h withinauguraladdressbytheChairman,Vice AdmiralMPMuralidharan,AVSM,NM,DirectorGeneralIndi anCoastGuard(DGICG),fol l owedbyapresentationbyDirector(SAR),CGHQonreportonSARActivitiesfortheyear2011-12.CaptainDeepakKapoor,Nauti cal Surveyor-cum-DDG(Tech), presented a report on Working Group-Legalfor policy decisions on issues related to Safety andSeaworthiness,ProvisioningofBasicLifeSavingEquipments, etc. and Mr. NK Shrivastava, Manager,INMCC,BangaloredeliveredapresentationonWorkingGroup-TechnicalforpolicydecisionsonissuesrelatedtoVHFNetwork,CommunicationCentres, DATs and Satellite Aided SAR etc.The Chairman highlighted various initiatives ofIndianCoastGuardforimprovingSearchandRescueinfrastructure,servicesandsupport.Healso stressed on the need for strengthening the co-operationmechanismbetweenvariousresourceagenciesforefficientlyundertakingSearchandRescue in the Indian Search and Rescue Region.XIth NMSAR Board Meeting4Furt her, heexpressedhi sconcernonnonregistrationofBeaconswithINMCC,Bangalore,which needs to be addressed by all.The Chairmanexpressedhissatisfactiononthekeennessandpromptnesswi thwhi chmanymerchantshi pscarriedoutSearchandRescuemissionsatsea.TheChai rmanappreci atedal l NMSARBoardMembers for proactively participating in the NationalSARExercise(SAREX-12)heldatMumbaion13-14 Jan 12.MSVSafeenawasawardedtheICGSARAwardforMerchantVesselinrecognitionofitsefforts for rescuing two dinghies with 09 lives. Theaward was received by Mr. M Amin Moosa, SeniorExecutiveManagerofM/sEllonHinengoLimited,on behalf of MSV Safeena. The ICG SAR Award forFishermanwasawardedtoFishingBoatSevenStar for saving 04 lives in distress. The award wasreceived by Shri Ragu Kumar, the owner and tandelofthefishingboatSevenStar.M/sEssarSARAward was presented to the Commanding Officer,842SQN(CG),Mumbai byMr.AnoopKumarSharma,CEO,M/sEssarShippingLimited,forsaving 15 lives from a sinking ship at sea.TheChai rmanappreci at edbot ht heChairpersons of Working Group Legal and technicalfor their concerted efforts to resolve the outstandingmaritime issues. The Chairman expressed hope thatthese two Working Groups would continue to workdiligently so that more time can be dedicated in thefuture SAR Board meetings for drawing up of a roadmap for the growth of National Maritime Search andRescue in India.The Chairman noted that interactive session hasbeenveryuseful,whichwillpavethewayforresolvingnumerousoutstandingissues.ThiswillnotonlygivemorecomprehensiveoutlooktoourM-SAR contingencies, but also will go long way inestablishing safer seas. The Chairman stated thatSARPlan-2003isbeingrevisedandrequesteddistinguished members for inputs in the revised SARPlan.Further,theChairmanrequestedWorkingGroup(Legal)toaddressthelegalissuesandf orwardsuggest i ons/ recommendat i onsf orenhancingMaritimesafetyandforeffectiveSARlegislation.SAR NEWSRescueof09fishermenoffCarNicobarIslandby MSV SafeenaOn 03 Apr 12, Station House Officer (SHO), CarNicobarrequestedMaritimeRescueCoordinationCentre(MRCC),PortBlairforlocatingtwoOutBoardMotor(OBM)mountedfishing dinghies with09fishermen.SearchandRescueoperationwasinitiatedincludingaerialreconnaissancebyMI-8aircraftofIndianAirForcefromCarNicobarandMSV SafeenaChairman,NMSARBoardpresentingSAR Award to Best Fisherman5seawardsearchbylocalfisherfolk.IndianNavyDornierwasalsolaunchedfromPortBlairwhichsighted two boats in position 37 n miles South Westof Car Nicobar. The position of boat was passed tolocal police. The Superintendent of Police, Nicobarrequested Shri Wilson Amose MD, M/s Ellon HinengoLtd., Port Blair to provide services of MSV Safeena,berthed at Car Nicobar. MSV Safeena departed CarNicobarat1710hon03 Apr12withpoliceteamembarked.At 0015 h on 04 Apr 12,MSV Safeenalocatedtwomissingdinghiesalongwith09crewinposition 35 n miles South West of Car Nicobar andtowed the boats in extreme weather conditions.MSV Safeena with both the dinghies along withtherescuedfishermenarrivedCarNicobarat0945hon04 Apr12.MSVSafeenawasawardedwiththeICGSARawardinthecategoryofBestMerchant Vessel by the Chairman, NMSAR Boardduring the NMSAR Board Meeting held at Chennaion 24 Jul 12 for exhibiting the spirit of a true marinerin rescuing 09 stranded Nicobari fishermen.Assistance to Missing IndianFishing Boat- VidialJesusOn13Jul12,MaritimeRescueCoordinationCentre(MRCC),ChennaireceivedaninformationfromSuperintendentofPolice,CoastalSecurityChairman Presenting SAR Awards toBest Merchant Vessel MSV SafeenaGroup,Chennaiintimatingaboutmissingofonefishing boat Vidial Jesus (Reg No TN/02/FB/01305/2011) with 10 crew since 12 Jul 12. Upon receipt ofthei nformati on,MRCC,Chennai establ i shedcommunicationwiththeownerofmissingboatwho intimated that the boat had drifted to Srilankanwatersduetoenginefailure.Inthemeantime,Srilankan Fishing Boat St. Sebastian provided foodandwatertocrewoftheIndianFishingBoatindi stress.ICGSAhal yabai wasdepl oyedfromTuticorinat1435hon14Jul12forsearchandrendering assistance to the missing boat.ICGS Ahalyabai arrived at the datum at 0200 hon 15 Jul 12 and located the missing boat in position67 n miles South East of Manappad. The disabledFB Vidial Jesus being Taken under TowbyICGShipFB Vidial Jesus under Tow of ICG Ship6boat with 10 crew was taken under tow by ICG Shipand brought to Tuticorin. Subsequently, the boat andcrew were handed over to Asst. Director (Fisheries),Tuticorin at 2250 h on 15 Jul 12.Rescue of 04 fishermen off Aarnala FortAt2200hon04Aug12,amessagewasreceivedatCoastGuardRegionalHeadquarters,(West)fromtheExecutiveMagistrate,Thane,regarding capsizing of fishing boat Daya Sagar with06 crew near Arnala Fort. It was also reported that02 crew swam ashore safely. However, the balance04 crew were reported to be missing. The positionof the incident was approx 04 n miles from Arnalacoast.Onreceiptoftheinformation,theCoastGuard ship on patrol was diverted and Coast Guardhelicopter at Mumbai was launched with the first lighton 05 Aug 12. On arrival, the Helicopter carried outextensivesearchinareaandlocated04personsclingingontofishingbuoysandthermocolpiecesnearthecoast.Thepilotincommandtooksplitseconddecisionofwinchingupall04fishermenfromthechoppyseasdespitebadweather.TheCoast Guard air crew diver was lowered in the seaforsafewinchingupofremaining04fishermen.The rescue operation was completed at 0715 h on05Aug12.Thehelicopterthendisembarkedallfourrescuedfi shermenatArnal acoastpri orreturning to base.SurvivorbeingwinchedupfromseabyICGHelicopterThefishermencommunitywasoverjoyedtoreceive the separated fishermen and was thankfulto Coast Guard for saving four precious lives. Variousfishingorganizations/committeesalsoappreciatedCoast Guard efforts.Assistance to Adrift Sri Lankan VesselAt 1120 h on14 Aug12,CoastGuardDornieron routine surveillance sortie in the North Andaman,located a boat in distress. On sighting Coast GuardDornier, the crew waved hands to attract attentionand one person even climbed to the mast of the boatwavingawhiteflagforhelp.Theboatandcrewappearedtobeinimmensedistressrequiringi mmedi at eassi st ancei nt hemonsoonseaconditions.MRCC,PortBl ai rswi ftl ycoordi natedtherescueoperation.CoastGuardInterceptorBoat,ICGSC-145wasimmediatelysailedfromDiglipurforrenderingassistancetothedistressedboat.Battling the rough seas with the waves of 2-3 metersheightandwindsmorethan20knots,theCoastGuardShiplocatedthedistressedboatat2125hon 14 Aug 12. Preliminary investigation revealed thatthe boat was illegally migrating Srilankan nationalsto Australia and had encountered technical snag andwasadriftsince28Jul12.Theboatwasleftwithsome fuel, limited food and provisions onboard.AdriftSriLankanVesselwithImmigrants7Srilankan Fishing Boat under Tow of ICG ShipInthemeantime,anotherCoastGuardShip,ICGSDurgabaiDeshmukhwasalsodivertedforassistance. The ship, on arrival, provided food, waterandnecessarymedicinestothedistressedcrew.Thereafter,thedistressedboatwastakenundertowbyICGSDurgabaiDeshmukhat0100hon15Aug12.Theshipwiththedistressedboat(MVPetrel,RegnNoIMULA0457)and49crewmembers arrived Diglipur at 1945 h on 15 Aug 12.All the 49 Sri Lankan nationals and distressed vesselwerehandedovertotheStationHouseOfficer,Diglipurat 2300 h on 15 Aug 12.RescueofFishermenfromCapsizedFishingBoatAtabout2040h,on22Aug12,IndianCoastGuard Station, Kakinada received information fromthePresi dent,Fi shi ngAssoci ati on,Kaki nada,intimatingaboutcapsizingofonefishingboat(SriDurga)with07crewattheconfluenceofVasistha Godavari River (Narsapur Pt). Upon receiptof information, Coast Guard Interceptor Boat, ICGSC-151 was sailed with dispatch and ICGS Vigrahaon patrol was also diverted for Search and Rescueoperation. Helicopters of Coast Guard and M/s CairnEnergyLtd.werealsotaskedAM23Aug12forsearch.Sea-aircoordinatedsearchresultedinrescue of six (06) fishermen by Interceptor Boat ICGSC-151 in co-ordination with local fishing boats.Assistance to MV Saigon QueenOn30Oct12,MaritimeRescueCoordinationCentre(MRCC),ChennaireceivedaCOSPAS-SARSATdistressalertfromMVSaigaonQueen,whichwasat185nmilesEast-SouthEastofTrincomalee(Srilanka).SincethispositionwasinSrilankanSearchandRescueRegion(SRR),thedistress message was relayed to MRCC, ColombowitharequestforassumingSearchandRescue(SAR) co-ordination.In the interim, MRCC, Chennai made repeatedeffortstocontactthedistressedvessel,however,receivednilresponse.Simultaneously,MVPacificSkipper transiting through the area was contactedt el ephoni cal l yandrequest edt ocont act t hedistressed vessel on VHF Channel-16.Rescuing Crew from MV Saigon Queen by MV Pacific SkipperMRCC,Chennaicontinuedco-ordinationwithMV Pacific Skipper for SAR and directed MV PacificSkippertoproceedtowardsthedatumandrenderassistance.At1845hon30Oct12,MVPacificSkipperrescued18crewofthedistressedvesselfrom02lifeboats.TheMasterofthedistressedvesselreportedlydrownedduringtherescueoperationdue to rough sea conditions prevailing in the area.The rescued crew reported that remaining 03 crew8memberscouldnotembarkthelifeboatsandprobablysankalongwiththevessel.MVPacificSki pperal ongwi th18rescuedcrewdepartedarea for her next port of call; Mongla, Bangladesh at0030 h on 31 Oct 12. Further, MRCC, Colombo hadbeen requested to promulgate NAVAREA warning forvesselstransitingthroughtheareatokeepsharplook out for the missing crew.The proactive co-ordination by MRCC(Chennai)bywayofsearchingsatellitebasedAutomaticIdentificationSystem(AIS),generatingUSbasedAMVER(AutomatedMutualAssistanceVesselRescueSystem)Plotandestablishingcommuni-cation with vessel passing through the area, resultedinsaving18crewoutof22crewoftheillfatedvesselon30Oct12,outsideIndianSearchandRescue Region (ISRR).MRCC(Colombo)andP&IClub,ChennaihadconveyedgratitudeforalleffortsputinbyMRCC(CH) in saving valuable lives of 18 crew membersof MV Saigon Queen.Assistance to MT Pratibha CauveryOn31Oct12,MTPrati bhaCauverywasanchored off Chennai harbour and was reported tobe dragging her anchor in the prevailing rough seaconditionsduetotheonsetofcycloneNilam.Subsequently, the vessel ran aground close to AdyarRescued Crew of MV Saigaon Queenriver mouth, Chennai at approx 1430 h on 31 Oct 12.The vessel was carrying 356 MT of furnace oil and02 MT of diesel oil.The situation deteriorated further since, 20 outof the 37 stranded crew of MT Pratibha Cauvery hadabandonedthevesselandboardedalifeboattoreach ashore. Though the weather in area was stillcyclonic with very rough seas and excessive windsgusting upto 60 knots, the rescue team comprisingofdiversandmedicalassistantsequippedwithrescuecraftGemini,lifesavingequipmentandambulance was rushed to Elliot beach at 1630 h on31 Oct 12. However, due to the very high waves andsurf prevailing on the beachfront, rescue operationfrom shore was not successful despite best efforts,as the rescue boats were pushed back to the shore.Meanwhile,ICGSVarunawasalsosailedfromChennai,despiteextremeroughweatherandseaconditionsforassistance.Thel i f eboat f romt hemerchant vesselsubsequently washed ashore at about 1750 h. A totalof 17 crew members were rescued from the lifeboatandthesurvivorswererushedtothenearesthospital, Fortis Malar at Adyar. Out of the rescuedcrew,04werereportedtobecriticaland01crewmember, Mr Anand Mohan Das, was declared deaddue to drowning. Consequently, 15 crew memberswere confirmed to be onboard MT Pratibha Cauverywhile remaining 05 were reported to be missing. ICGremainedinconstantcommunicationwiththestranded crew and they were advised to refrain fromabandoni ngthevessel ,si ncethevessel wasGrounded Vessel MT Pratibha Cauvery9reportedtobestable.ICGSVarunacontinuedextensive search in area for the missing crew. ICGSRajshree was kept standby to sail from Chennai atshortnoticetoaugmentSARefforts.Further,twoICGhelicopterswerealsokeptstandbywiththemedical support team to be launched with the firstlight on 01 Nov 12.These helicopters were tasked from Chennai at0600 h on 01 Nov 12 for search and rescue. ICGSRajshree was also sailed from Chennai at 0600 h toassistICGSVarunainsearchofthemissingcrewmembers. Meanwhile, the specialized rescue teamcomprisingdiversfromINandICGdeployedfromtheElliotbeachat0600hon01Nov12,boardedthegroundedshi pthrougharescueboatforproviding necessary assistance.All 15 stranded crew who were stranded onboardthegroundedvesselwererescuedbytheICGhelicoptersat0645hon01Nov12andbroughtashore.CG Helo Rescuing MT Pratibha Cauvery CrewMEDICAL EVACUATIONMV Al- DafnaOn23Jun12, Coast GuardRegi onalHeadquarters (West), Mumbai received informationfromlocalagentofLNGcarrierMVAL-DafnaatMumbai, regardingevacuation of one crew member(Mr.NKSharma,2nd Officer,anIndianNational)suffering from severe abdominal pain. The efforts ofl ocal agentforevacuati onthroughtugcoul dnot fructify view rough sea conditions and distancei nvol ved. Subsequent l y, at about 0405hon24Jun12,agentsoughtCoastGuardassistancefor evacuation of the patient.Upon receipt of the request, ICG helicopter fromMumbaiwaslaunchedat0650hon24Jun12.ICGS Samudra Prahari in area was also alerted tomeetthemi ssi onrequi rement.Thehel i copterevacuated the patient at 0710 h and handed over tothelocalagentat0745hon24Jun12forfurthermanagement.MV Helian StarAt 1600 h on 27 Jun 12, Coast Guard RegionalHeadquart ers(West ), Mumbai recei vedaninformation from the Master of vessel MV Helian Starrequesting for urgent evacuation of one crew member(ZhanghJi , aChi neseNat i onal )whowasunconscious after falling from deck crane.The Master of the vessel was advised by CoastGuardtoproceedtowardsMumbaicoastforearlyevacuation.ICGhelicopterfromMumbaiwaslaunchedat1720hon27Jun12formedicalevacuat i on. Thepat i ent wasevacuat edbyICG helicopter at 1800 h and brought to INS Shikra(NavalBaseatColaba,Mumbai)at1840hon27 Jun 12. Post arrival, the patient was examined by Medical assistance to MV Al-Dafna10Medical Officer of the Naval Air Station, Mumbai andwas subsequently handed over to the local agent at1840 h on 27 Jun 12 for further medical care.MT Pacific VoyagerAt about 1830 h on 18 Jul 12, MRCC, Mumbaireceived a request fromMaster of MT Pacific Voyagerfor medical evacuation of patient (Mr Ganesh Yelaka,Seaman/Security) suffering from severe Malaria. TheMotorTankerwasonpassagefromRasTanura(SaudiArabia)toSingaporeandwasinposition180nmilesNorthWestofGoa.Thevesselwasadvised to close in Goa Coast for early evacuation.Coast Guard helicopter was launched from Goa at0745 h and the patient was evacuated at 0825 h on19Jul12fromposition12nmilesWestofGoa.Subsequently,patientwasadmittedatSalgoankarHospital, Goa by the local agent for further medical care.Medical assistance to MV Helian StarMedical assistance to MV Pacific VoyagerMTGuruGovindSinghAt about 1515 h on 10 Aug 12, Maritime RescueCoordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai received aninformationfromthemasterofMTGuruGovindSi ngh,requesti ngforevacuati onofonecrewmember,whowasinjuredduetoforeignparticleembedded in his right eye(Mr. Anurag Kumar Vishal,an Indian National), from position 18 n miles NorthWest of Mumbai.Medical assistance to MT Guru Govind SinghUponreceiptoftherequest,CoastGuardhelicopterwaslaunchedfromMumbaiat1600hforevacuationofthepatient.Thepatientwasevacuatedat1625handhandedovertotherepresentative of Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.at 1655 h on 10 Aug 12 for further medical care.Medical Evacuation From NarcondamAt1600 h on 20 Aug 12, Coast Guard RegionalHeadquarters (A&N), Port Blair received informationfromtheCommandant,IndianReserveBattalion(IRBn)requestingforurgentevacuationofonePolice constable suffering from Otitis MediafromLook Out Post (LOP), Narcondam. Upon receipt ofinformation, Coast Guard Ship Kanaklata Barua, onpatrol,wasdivertedat1400hon21Aug12toevacuatethepati entICGSKanakl ataBaruaevacuated the patient from LOP Narcondam at 0630handenteredDiglipurat1215hon22Aug12.Subsequently,thepatientwashandedovertoDiglipur Marine Police for further medical care.11MVTradeStarAt about 1530 h on 30 Sep 12, Maritime RescueCoordinationCentre(MRCC),MumbaireceivedinformationfromVesselTrafficService(VTS),Mumbaiintimatingaboutrequirementofurgentmedicalevacuationofapatient(aPhilippinesnational) from MV Trade Star which was anchored inposition 20 n miles North West of Mumbai. The leftarm of the patient was severely injured.Uponrecei ptofi nformati on,CoastGuardInterceptorBoatICGSC-147wasdeployedat1615 h on 30 Sep 12 to evacuate the patient. ICGSAmritKaurwhichwasonpatrol,wasdivertedforpreliminaryassessmentandmedicalassistance.ICGSC-147evacuatedthepatientat1815hon30Sep12andbroughtthepatienttoharbour.Subsequently, the patient was handed over to localagentandadmittedinSaifeeHospitalincriticalcondition.Medical assistance to MV Trade StarMARITIME SAFETY &SECURITYFire Onboard MV Amsterdam BridgeAt 1725 h on 09 Sep 12, VTMS, Mumbai informedCoast GuardRegi onal Headquart ers(West )regarding fire onboard MV Amsterdam Bridge, whichwas anchored at Mumbai inner anchorage. The firewasreportedinacontainercarryingdangerouscargo.Onreceiptoftheinformation,IndianCoastGuard Ship (ICGS) Samudra Prahari was sailed withdispatch at 1800 h on 09 Sep 12 and ICGS SubhadraKumari Chauhan was also diverted from area patrolfor providing assistance to the vessel. EmergencyTowing Vessel (ETV), SCI Pawan was also mobilisedat1800hon09Sep12forassistance.ICGSSamudraPrahariarrivedonsceneat1845hon09Sep12andassumedthedutiesofOnSceneCommander(OSC)tocoordinatethefirefightingefforts.At 1930 h, ICGS Samudra Prahari intimated thatthe fire had turned into a major fire and thick blacksmokewasseenemanati ngfromthevessel .ICGS Samudra Prahari operated the External FireFighting(EFF)systemtocontainthefireonboardMV Amsterdam Bridge and directed the ship to keepclearoffthenavigationalchannel.EmergencyTowingVessel,SCIPawanalsoassistedinthefirefightingoperations.ICGSSubhadraKumariChauhan was kept standby in vicinity to undertakeSearchandRescueoperations,incaseneeded.ICGS Samudra Prahari learnt from MV AmsterdamBridge,thatthevesselwascarrying18TonsofTurpentineoil,20Tonsofinflammableliquidand7.6 Tons of inflammable gas.FightingFireonboardMVAmsterdamBridgebyICGSSamudraPrahari12ConsideringthegravityofthesituationCoastGuardRegionalHeadquarters(West)launchedOperation Agnishaman. Assets for co-ordinating thefi refi ghti ng,RescueandPol l uti onResponseoperationsweremobilisedINSMatangaandINSTarasaweresailedfromMumbaiat0400hon10Sep12with30FireFighterstoaugmentthefirefighting efforts. A Boarding party consisting of IndianCoastGuardandIndianNavypersonnelboardedMVAmst erdamBri dgef oronboardsi t uat i onassessment and fire fighting.The actual seat of fire was localised in hold no.3ofthemerchantvessel.Firewascontainedwiththe combined efforts of ICG units, SCI Pawan andPort tugs at 0600 h on 10 Sep 12, but was not fullyextinguished.JointinspectionteamfromICGSSankalp, ICGS Samudra Prahari and INS Matangahadinspectedtheaffectedareaandreportedbuckling of deck due to fire explosion. Further, yellowsmokeandsuddenincreaseintemperaturewasobserved in slot 17 at 0910 h on 10 Sep 12. Boundarycoolingandmonitoringcontinuedtillsmokefromaffected area remarkably reduced. MV Amsterdamre-anchored in position238 Prongs Lt 5.5 n milesat 1640 h on 10 Sep 12. Four tugs were kept standbyinthevicinityofthemerchantvesseltoprovideassistance.Densesmokeagainemanatedfromcontainers around 1045 h on 11 Sep 12.ThefireonboardMVAmsterdamBridgewasFightingFireonboardMVAmsterdamBridgeby ICG Ship and SCI Pawancompletelyextinguishedat1706hon11Sep12.However,ICGSSamudraPraharicontinuouslymonitoredthesituationtilltheterminationoftheoperation Agni Shaman at 0700 h on 12 Sep 12.Theswi ftreacti onbyICGshi psandco-ordinatedresponsebyCoastGuardRegionalHeadquarters(West),resultedincontainingapotentiallydisastroussituation,especially,whichcould have impacted human lives, the environmentand marine traffic in the area.SAR ARTICLESMaritime Safety and Security PracticesThe security in transport has become a crucialissueinternationally,especiallyaftertheterroristattacksof11September2001andevenmorerecently. Maritime, along with aviation, is considereda sensitive and of high-risk transport sector, in termsof security.Takingintoaccounttheglobaldimensionofmaritimetransportalongwiththefactthat,theparticipation of Asia in the world trade during the pastdecade has been substantial.The Maritime Safety and Security can only beachieved through the application of high standardsand regulations setting the prerequisites for safe andsecurenavigation.Inthisdirection,asignificantnumber of Directives, Regulations and Initiatives onmaritime safety and security have been introducedby international and European organizations, suchas the International Maritime Organization, (I.M.O.),the International Labour Organization (I.L.O.) and theEuropean Union (EU).In the framework of this analysis, the levels ofcomplianceofEuropeanandAsiancountries,regarding the international legislation, is examinedwhile special emphasis is given on the problems anddifficultiesencounteredduringtheimplementationprocesses.13Maritime Search and Rescue Points To PonderIt snowover100yearssi ncetheTi tani cdisaster,whenthemaritimeworldfirstwokeuptothefactthatsomethingneededtobedoneaboutthe safety of people on board ships. Since 1912, weunquestionablyhavesaferships,bettersystemsand much improved life saving appliances, but evenafter 100 years of Titanic disaster, we still cant makeships unsinkable, nor can we prevent serious large-scalelife-threateningsituationsfromoccurringonboard.Worsestill,eventhoughwecannowgivemen, women and children a place in a lifeboat, westillcannotguaranteetogetthemfromtheretoaplace of safety within an acceptable time.Regularrescuecraftarepurposelydesignedforgettingpeopleoutofthewater,orrecoveringthemfromsurvival craft.Innormalrescues,typicallyinvolvingasmallnumber of persons, a few minutes here or there inthe recovery cycle time, rarely matters to the overalloutcome.However,inthecaseofalarge-scaleincident,ifthecumulativetimetakentorecoverall casualties (that is the typical cycle time multipliedby the number of people to be recovered) is longerthantheaveragesurvi val ti me,then,cl earl y,somewilldiebeforetheycanberescued.Incasesofrapidevacuation,wheremanymaynotbewearingproperlyfittedlifejacketsandfewwillhave survival suits, a few hours in cold conditionscould well be far too long. Many incidents from thehistory are evident, where the ships own lifeboatswere supplemented by local boats (not necessarilySARrecoverycraft)availablewithinaveryshortdistance.Itstilltookmanyhourstogetallthecasualtiestotheshore,whichwasonlyashortdistanceaway.Smallshore-basedrescuecraftmaynotbeabletotransittothesceneinheavyweather conditions, nor be able to operate effectivelyon arrival. Rescue craft from many merchant ships,including other passenger ships, would suffer similarl aunchandrecoveryrestri cti ons.Thi swoul dThemainactivitiesandtasksofIMOsinceits establishment have been to develop and maintainacomprehensi veregul at oryf rameworkf orinternationalshipping.Itsmandatewasoriginallylimited to safety-related issues, but very soon it hasbeenexpandedtoincludeotherissuescloselyinterrelatedwithshippingsuchasenvironmental,legalmatters,technicalco-operationandmanytopics affecting the overall efficiency of shipping, forexample how to deal with stowaways or how a cargomanifestshouldbetransmittedtotheauthoritiesashore; piracy and armed robbery against ships etc.Theoverallsafetylevelofshippingovertheyears has been steadily improving at a global level.Duringthecenturiestheseahasalwaysbeenconsidered a potentially hazardous and dangerousworking environment. Today, following the significantchangesthattookplaceininternationaltradeandtransport, ship operators are facing challenged. Thestructureoftheglobalmarketplacerequiresthatgoodsandmaterialsbedeliverednotonlytothegeographical location where they are required butalso within a very precise timeframe.Nowadays,considerableprogresshasbeenachieved with the regulatory framework implied fromall the regulatory associations and the IMO. However,thereisstillroomforfurtherimprovementssincenotallcountriescomplywiththeregulationsandinternationalstandardsonmaritimesafetyandsecurity.-Capt. Umashankar Behera,Pilot, Paradip Port Trust14inevitably result in fewer rescue craft being capableof operating on scene, and those that could, wouldinvariablytakelongertocompleterecoveryintheprevailingconditions.Theaveragesurvivaltimes will also shorten in such conditions.Mostrescueactivitiesdependdirectlyonthephysicaleffortofcrews.Clearly,crewswillquicklyfatigue during sustained rescue operations and theircasualtyprocessingrateswilldropsignificantly,unless regular rest and sustenance is provided. Thisimplies that we need to have relief crews availableonscene,aswellasthenecessarylogisticsandsupport systems for them.Furthermore, unless theboats can be re-fuelled and have essential suppliesreplenished on scene, they will have to interrupt theirrecovery efforts to make regular re-fuelling trips backto land.Ideally, to maximise the time spent on life-criticalrecoveryoperations,thedistancefromthecasualtyrecoveryzonetoatemporarydrop-offlocationshouldbeasshortaspossible.Typicallylargevesselsofopportunityactassuchplacesoftemporary refuge, capable of providing safe platformsfortriage,treatmentandultimatelytransportationback to a place of safety ashore.The key difficultyis that we currently do not have a safe and effectivemeansbywhichlargenumbersofcasualtiescanbe safely transferred from the smaller recovery crafttotheselargerships.Tocompoundtheproblem,merchant ships do not usually have sufficient crewnumbers, nor do they have sufficiently trained crewtooperatesuchsystems,ortodealwithlargenumber of casualties once on board.Inrecentyears,manyagencieshavefoughthardattheIMOtohighlightthesechallengesandpressforregulationstoensurethatvesselsof opport uni t ywoul dbebet t erpreparedt oprovidethenecessaryassistance.Sadly,thougheveryoneseemedtoaccepttheindisputableneedforimprovement,fewarewillingtosupporttherequisitenewregulationstomakesurethatithappens.Thestatusquoismaintainedandtheproblem remains.So have we really moved forwardmuchsinceTitanic?Theoncepopularidealoftheunsi nkabl eshi phasfadedpermanentl yintohistory,andthemorerecentmantrathattheshipisitsownbestlifeboatisalsowearingslightlythin.Canweaffordtocontinuetotrustourluck,toputourheadsintothesand,astherisks of a large-scale incident are clearly increasingyearonyear?Somewoul darguethatmassrescueoperationsareinfrequent.Youmaydenytheargumentbutnotthefact.Statisticsofrecentpastareevidentoftollofliveslostatseaandthisdoesnotcountthemanymoreliveslostannuallyinthesmallervillagetransportsystemsinmanyunder-developedcountriesaccidentswhich fail to register on the public radar. Yet thesearest i l l massrescueoperat i ons , f ort heyoverwhelmanyrescueresourceavailablelocally.Theneedforimprovementinmaritimesafetyisobvious.- ICGS C-148ICG:SearchandRescueOperationsincludingMaritime Safety and SecurityIndianGovernment,beingacontractingpartyto IMO SAR conventions has instituted a formidableSearch and Rescue organization in India with CoastGuardbeingthenodalagencyforcoordinationatsea.In partnership with other federal agencies, stateGovernments,marineindustriesandindividualmariners, Coast Guard had improved safety at seathroughcomplementaryprogramsofSearchandRescueseminars,jointexercises,communityinteractionswithcoastalpopulace.IndianCoastGuardhasbeeninstrumentalinsavinglivesofthousandsofmarinersincludingfishermenindistressatseasincebestowedwiththisnobleresponsibility.Indi anCoastGuardhassurfaceandai rassetsavai l abl eatal l possi bl ecoastal portstoprovi deti mel yassi stancetoseafarersi ndistress.TheshorecoordinationforSearchand15RescueelementisbeingcarriedoutbyMaritimeRescueCo-Ordi nati onCentre(MRCC),whi ch24x7mannedandoperatedbyCoastGuardpersonnel.Contingencyplansformaritimeandaeronauti cal SearchandRescuei swel l l ai ddownwi thampl i fyi ngresponsi bi l i ti esofeachpart i ci pat i ngagency. Adedi cat edreport i ngprocedure for ships INDSAR, towards SAR in IndianwatershasalsobeenmonitoredbyMRCC,whichprovi desamari ti mesurfacepi ctureforSARcoordinatingagency.Closeco-ordinationwithnei ghbouri ngmari ti mestate sshi preporti ngproceduresandexchangeofdatabankalongwithavailabilityofsatellitepicturesfromspacecentres has added much needed teeth to successfulCoastGuardsSearchandRescuemissionsinvast Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).TheavailabilityofmaritimedataatMRCCsinformofE-PANS,INDSARSURPIC,satellitebasedplotsondailyaswellasrealtimebasisnotonlyboostsupthetimelyrescueeffortsbyIndian Coast Guard but also provides vast maritimedata for safety and security agencies.At any houroftheday,themaritimepictureofIndianOceanandBayofBengalisavailabletotrack/locatetheshipping and coastal traffic which is vital for effectivedomai nawarenessf orsecuri t yagenci es.Additionally, theavailability of maritime data fromotheragenciesviz.IndianNavy,Ports,FishingDepartmentsandtheirintegrationtowardsbetterSearchandRescue(SAR)effortsisactuallyaplethoraofvitalinformationtosecurityagencies.Randominvestigations,availabilityofmaritimeassetsforreconnaissance/patrolforSAReffortsalsoinducesdeterrenceinthemindsofcrimeperpetrators.TheimplementationofPortStateControlProgramme by Director General of Shipping is notonlyavitaltoolforrulingoutoperationofsub-standard hull vessels in our waters but also ensuresverificationofcrewcredentials.Thisprogramiscritical since the majority of the passenger, pleasurecraftsandcargoshipsoperatinginIndianwatersareforeignflagged.Additionallyvessels,mobileoffshoredrillingunitsandmarinefacilitiesareinspected by registered agencies for rescue, safetyand security.Regular exercise of contingency plans,mass evacuation drills involving all related agenciesensure compliance/ streaming of laid down standardoperating procedures.But the maritime domain is large and complex,and much more needs to be done to ensure betterSARcoverinIndianSearchandRescueRegion(ISRR).Theongoingeffortstowardsenhancingcoastal survei l l ancesystemthroughchai nofradars, AISnetworkincludingRFID/Transponderson the fishing boats, if integrated with SAR supportsystem will boost Indias maritime SAR supremacybesi desamaj orl eapi nsecuri tyefforts.Anenhancedmari ti medomai npi cture/pl otswi thsecurity and safety agencies in any coastal state iscritical for economic/environmental growth and Indiawi t hvast mari t i mel egacyi sconsi derednoexception.Additionally, India may consider adoptionof vari oussaf et yandsecuri t ymeasuresimplemented in advanced maritime nations viz. UK,USA etc. in a phased manner to grow as a formidablemaritime power in Asian sub-continent.- ICGS SangramCoast Guard HeadquartersNational Stadium ComplexNew Delhi - 110 001, INDIATel : +91 11-2338 4934, 2338 3999Fax : +91 11-2338 3196E-mail : dte-ops@indiancoastguard.nic.inwww.indiancoastguard.nic.inAn Indian Coast Guard Publication