7th November, 2002
Ministry of Defence  


DEFENCE MINISTER SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES INAUGURATED TWO-DAY INTERNATIONAL MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE CONFERENCE


The Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes cautioned the International Community against human involvement in accidents and tragedies at sea through militant activism, piratical attacks, or by the agents of transnational ocean crimes. Inaugurating the two-day International Maritime Search and Rescue Conference organized by the Indian Coast Guard at Chennai today the Minister said under these circumstances maritime search and rescue is a full time activity for any agency involved in it. He said he trusts that this forum will discuss and deliberate these issues and identify the ways and means to provide credible assistance to those in distress and trauma at sea.

The Minister said that rendering timely assistance to humans in distress is a noble service and those involved in the service do not look at the nationality, caste, creed or colour of the people. They render the service in the most humanitarian and civilized way. Shri Fernandes said that he is aware of the steps taken by the International Organisations like International Maritime Organisation, International Civil Aviation Organisation, INMARSAT, COSPAS-SARSAT, International telecommunication Union and others towards search and rescue organizations.

The Defence Minister said that the Coast Guard is a multi-mission armed force specially constituted to provide safety and security in the maritime zones of India. It is tasked to protect the lives and properties of mariners in the Indian search and rescue region that extends much beyond the maritime zones of India.

He told the conference that it will be of interest to the delegates to note that about 60 per cent of lives that Coast Guard saved since its inception was foreign seamen sailing under various flags. He said this truly reflects its contribution towards international search and rescue effort. The Minister informed the conference that India’s capability in the international search and rescue effort is further enhanced by two Indian satellites in the sky i.e. INSAT 2A and 2B. He said that these satellites provides coverage for the entire Indian and adjoining oceans.

The Minister said that the person who traverses the ocean reposed faith in these international agencies for safety and security and it is the responsibility of the national governments to provide it. He said the Coast Guard is declared as the national coordinating authority for maritime search and rescue in the Indian Search and Rescue region. It is a serious responsibility and to complete this task they are assisted by other resource agencies in accordance with the national contingency plan. The Minister said that it is not possible for them to do it alone and it needs total support from other national and international agencies and seafarers on location.

Twenty-four countries including Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Myanmar are participating in the conference. This conference is being held as a part of India’s recent accession to International Maritime Organisation Search and Rescue convention 1979 and designation of maritime search and rescue authority status on the Coast Guard . The main invitees are the neighbouring countries sharing their Search and Rescue Regions (SRR) with India. The International Organization associated with search and rescue services and policy making, organizations and departments representing National SAR board, shipping authorities, ports, shipping boards, scientific institutions, shipping institutions and various ministries are also participating in the conference.

DG Coast Guard Vice Admiral OP Bansal also addressed the Conference.