INDIAN COAST GUARD CONDUCTS REGIONAL LEVEL POLLUTION RESPONSE EXERCISE (RPREX – 24) OFF GOA
Goa, 11 December 2024: With increasing maritime trade activities in Indian Ocean region, threat to marine environment continues to exist in Indian Waters. Further due to marine oil pollution, situation escalates once the oil reaches ashore. To be prepared to address such disaster of oil spill, a robust mechanism needs to be in place. Given the vast coastline of India, coordination and involvement of all the stakeholders is an inescapable requirement to effectively fight the oil pollution at sea. Marine Spill Response is a collective responsibility of both ICG and stakeholders. Indian Coast Guard has been designated as the Central Coordinating Authority for co-ordinating oil response in Indian waters and undertaking oil spill prevention and control.
Indian Coast Guard regularly conducts Pollution Response Exercises in order to validate the preparedness of all the stakeholders in combating oil spill in accordance with National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP). The Indian Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 11 (Goa) under the aegis of Coast Guard Region (West) conducted a Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise from 10-11 Dec 24 at Goa. On 10 Dec 24, Presentations, lectures by various stakeholders and Table Top Exercise was conducted to understand and assess the situation in case of oil spillage. Subsequently, on 11 Dec 24, PR demonstration at sea was carried out to simulate oil spill response and control measures by ICG assets off Goa. Shoreline cleanup exercise was also conducted by State Administration in co-ordination with stakeholders.
The Regional Level exercise is an exercise aimed to enhance preparedness and co-ordination among stakeholders in responding to marine pollution incidents, such as oil spills. The ICG conducts OPRC level training and exercises for all stakeholders to help protect the marine environment alongwith coastal populace with its benign commitment to safeguard marine environment and in ensuring the resilience of coastal communities.
Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise was witnessed by Shri Alok Kumar, IPS, DGP Goa, alongwith a large scale of participation from Goa state administration, Captain of Port, Goa, State Pollution Control Board, Fisheries dept. and Oil Handling Agencies participated in the exercise. The efforts of ICG and Stakeholders towards ensuring preparedness for undertaking pollution response measures was displayed. Also, the scenario provided valuable insight and effective response strategy for addressing Marine Spill Response along the sensitive coasts.
Regional Level exercise tested the efficiency of pollution response capabilities of various stakeholders involved.
