Date : 10-03-2024
The US Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf set sail from Port Blair, India yesterday, following a fruitful visit that bolstered the partnership between the USCG and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The four-day visit aimed to strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability between the two forces.
The visit featured a series of engaging harbor activities and sea exercises designed to promote collaboration. These activities included cross-visits, allowing crew members from both the Bertholf and the ICG to tour each other’s ships and gain valuable insights into their capabilities and procedures. Additionally, a friendly badminton competition was organized, providing crews with an opportunity to interact and foster camaraderie outside of their professional roles.
The highlight of the visit was the comprehensive sea exercise named “Sea Defenders-2024.” This exercise focused on crucial maritime security issues and involved various scenarios, including a Pollution Response Demonstration where Indian Coast Guard ships and aircraft showcased their proficiency in responding to oil spills and other environmental threats at sea. The exercise also simulated Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Operations for inspecting vessels suspected of illegal activities.
Throughout the exercise, Indian Coast Guard helicopters and Dornier aircraft conducted Search & Rescue and Pollution Response demonstrations, highlighting the ICG’s capabilities in aerial surveillance and rescue missions. The exercise also addressed neutralizing asymmetric threats, such as drone attacks on commercial merchant traffic, and provided a platform for both USCG and ICG personnel to refine their firefighting and damage control skills through simulated scenarios.
These joint exercises offer valuable training opportunities for both Coast Guards, enabling them to enhance their skills and collaborate more effectively. The visit of the USCGC Bertholf to Port Blair underscores the growing partnership between the US and Indian Coast Guard, as both nations work together towards a safer and more secure maritime environment, as stated in a press release from the ICG.