Tag: Search and Rescue

National

Indian Coast Guard Begins Construction of First Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

In a landmark move bolstering India’s maritime defence self-reliance, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officially began construction of its first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) on July 30, 2025. The ceremony, known as the Girder Laying and Commencement of Erection, was held at the Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Goa.

The ACV is based on the globally proven designs of Griffon Hoverwork (UK) and is being adapted and built using Indian expertise to serve a wide range of coastal and offshore missions. These hovercraft are specially designed to operate in shallow waters, offering rapid deployment and flexibility for missions such as coastal patrolling, interdiction, and search and rescue operations.

The ceremony was attended by ICG Inspector General Sudhir Sahni, Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), who highlighted the strategic importance of this development in India’s defence manufacturing landscape.

This construction marks the first ACV in a series of six, under a contract signed on October 24, 2024, between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company. The initiative underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s steadfast commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign equipment and bolster operational autonomy.

Once inducted, these vessels will add a powerful new dimension to India’s coastal response force, offering unmatched speed and manoeuvrability in dynamic maritime environments. The move reflects the growing synergy between public and private sector defence firms in building a self-reliant defence ecosystem.

EduConnect

INDIAN COAST GUARD CONDUCTS MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE  WORKSHOP AT GOA

allycaralgoa

Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 11, Goa,  conducted a State Level Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) Workshop on 25 Jun 2025 for all Stakeholders in the State of Goa. The workshop was attended by representatives of various agencies i.e North and South Goa Collectorate, Department of Tourism, CISF, Fisheries Department, Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), Captain of Ports (COP), Customs, Coastal Security Police (CSP), Airport Authority of India (AAI), IOCL and ONGC. Workshop was aimed at revalidating SOPs and identifying gaps in existing set up for corrective measures. It also aimed to strengthen Maritime Search & Rescue across the coast of Goa through effective coordination.

Indian Coast Guard is the nodal agency in the country responsible for Executing/ Coordinating Search and Rescue (SAR) mission in the Indian Maritime Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).

The workshop was inaugurated by Deputy Inspector General Manoj Bhatia, Tatrakshak Medal, Commander Coast Guard Goa Area. Speaking on the occasion, the Commander emphasized the need of such workshops for better knowhow on role, response and rescue capability of the Resource Agencies in the State of Goa. He added that such workshops also assist in fostering optimum synergy to deliver collaborative efforts while combating Maritime SAR emergencies and in being well prepared to save any precious life and property at Sea.

During the workshop, discussions were held on the proactive approaches that the Coast Guard and other agencies are taking to ensure the safety of mariners at sea. Inclusion of measures such as conducting regular safety drills and providing fishermen with information on the latest weather forecasts was emphasised.