The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) hosted a one-week Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) operation and Search and Rescue (SAR) course in Mumbai from January 16-21, 2023. This course was under the aegis of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC) and was open to sailors and officers from six friendly countries: Bangladesh, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Myanmar, and Maldives. The specialized training involved 22 trainees (10 officers & 12 sailors).
The course is modelled and designed in consonance with the best international practices primarily envisaging the Legal background domain of Maritime Search and Rescue, Planning and Coordination, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, Lectures on Harmonisation of Aeronautical and Maritime SAR, satellite-aided SAR operations and case studies on maritime SAR incidents amongst others.
The training also included lectures by visiting faculties from the Indian National Mission Control Centre, the Indian Space Research Organisation, the Airports Authority of India, the Indian Centre for Ocean Information Services and subject matter experts from the ICG. Training visits and On Job Training at MRCC Mumbai, Director General Shipping Communication Centre and Air Traffic Control, Mumbai Airport were also held. The course was inaugurated by Commander Coast Guard Region (West) Inspector General MV Badkar.
**News Source: PIB India**