Last year, Coast Guard undertook a series of missions and operations in coordination with Navy. The Coast Guard units were placed at the disposal of Navy. Monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) patrols were intensified and the sea-lanes of communications (SLOC) were brought under the magnifying glass. Each and every movement in the Indian EEZ was monitored. The vital areas and vital points were well-guarded. For almost six months, the Coast Guard units together with Navy relentlessly kept a vigilant eye on the activities in the EEZ. In the mid-July, the tension eased and the Coast Guard units reverted to their peacetime role.

In February, based on the intelligence inputs, operation Nashedher was launched off the Karnataka coast to apprehend drug traffickers. Commander Coast Guard District No 3, Karnataka (COMDIS-3) controlled the operation. Coast Guard ships based under the COMDIS took part in the operation along with one Dornier aircraft.

In March, a pollution control exercise (POLREX-2002) was undertaken. CGS Vadinar and COMDIS-4 (Kerala) took part in addition to the Coast Guard ships and aircraft. The pollution response team (PRT) based in Mumbai was embarked onboard ships and a physical deployment of pollution equipment was undertaken. The Commander Coast Guard Region (West) reviewed the preparedness of the forces to undertake pollution response missions during the exercise at sea.

In April, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee visited Goa. In order to provide seaward security cover, COMDIS-11 (Goa) launched operation Jagruk. The interceptor boats based in Goa took part in the operation.

In July, while the heat on the LoC was cooling down, a merchant ship MV Meridian Navigator reported sighting an unmanned, unlit and adrift vessel. Immediately on receipt of the message, the international safety net (ISN) was activated to warn mariners of the impending danger. A Dornier aircraft was launched at first light from CGAS Daman to investigate and monitor the movement of the vessel. On confirmation of the Dornier, the estimated track and impact was worked out. The civil police and the local administration of the area were informed of the presence of the vessel and the possible beaching. On July 6, CGS Vijaya's boarding party, despite heavy weather and rough sea condition, successfully anchored the vessel off Devgarh. A search of the vessel by the boarding party led to the recovery of two AK-47, four magazines and 74 live rounds.

Operation Rakshak was launched off the Gujarat coast in August to monitor the movements of vessels. The hovercraft and interceptor boats based at Okha took part in the operation. In the same month, a pollution response exercise, Tayar, was conducted off Mumbai.

Coast Guard launched operation Utsav for providing the SAR cover along the beaches off Mumbai and at Powai Lake for the immersion of the idols of Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Utsav. Helicopter sorties were flown with additional divers standby to keep an eye on the activity on the beaches in coordination with the interceptor boats.

In October, CGS Samar commanded by Deputy Inspector General SP Sharma and CGS Vijaya commanded by Comdt VSR Murthy departed for a maiden visit to Seychelles. In addition, operation Pradhan was launched off Mumbai on October 31 to provide seaward security for the Prime Minister of India.

CGS Sarojini Naidu, a fast patrol vessel (FPV) class of ship built by Goa Shipyard, was commissioned at New Mangalore. Operation Nishan was launched in November to provide seaward security for the visit of the President of India. One Coast Guard advance offshore patrol vessel (AOPV), one offshore patrol vessel (OPV) and two hovercraft participated in the operation.

Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and missions are coordinated from the Maritime Rescue Coordinated Centres (MRCCs) and Maritime Rescue Coordination Sub centres (MRSCs). Coast Guard being the nodal agency for providing maritime SAR has established three MRCCs, one each in Mumbai, Chennai and Port Blair. The Coast Guard SAR organisation has been very active during the year. The organisation has provided medical advice, undertaken medical evacuations and rescued life and property. It has been providing warning messages on the SAR operation and situations through the ISN. Last year, MRCC Mumbai received 85 calls out of which 63 were false. Twelve missions were undertaken and 55 lives were saved. Eight fishing vessels in distress with 46 crew were rescued. In all, the year has been full of activities for the western region of the Coast Guard