The sea/deck trial of indigenously built Coast Guard version of Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) was success- fully conducted in Chennai. The ALH, which is going to be the backbone of future Coast Guard operations, was commissioned in Coast Guard in March, last year. The Coast Guard ALH has flown more than 100 hours over land/sea since commissioning and is capable of flying up to 365 nautical miles at a speed of 110 knots.

The Coast Gurard version of ALH is a lightweight, multi-role and multi-mission helicopter of 5-ton class which is powered by two Turbomeca engines, each developing 801 KW at take-off rating. This helicopter can carry 14 troops or four stretchers and is provided with an external cargo sling capable of carrying load up to 1500 kg. The Coast Guard version of ALH can be used for casualty evacuation, search and rescue and boarding operations. It can also provide close air-support for commando operations. It can be used for training purposes too.

The first landing of Coast Guard ALH on deck of CGS Sarang was an important milestone in the integration of ALH with Coast Guard. The success of this trial was a result of coordinated efforts of HAL Bangalore, Coast Guard RHQ (East), CGS Sarang, CGEFU, CGAS(Ch) and various other certification and inspecting agencies.

Collection of scientific data is one of the duties of Coast Guard. The local Ecological Department in Andaman and Nicobar Islands approached Coast Guard for helping the research students of Annamalai University in collection of marine biological samples for their study.

Coast Guard ship Kanaklata Barua embarked the research scholars alongwith two field assistants for study and collection of samples. The study area included various localities along the Coast of GNI. Various marine samples were collected from all the localities with the help of Coast Guard team.

The samples included coral reef systems which give shelter to many groups of crabs, fishes and sponges, some coral destroying organisms, seaweeds and see grass which provide shelter to various groups of organisms. The samples also contained heavy metal concentration of sediments and water which is important for determining the status of aquatic system in order to meet the requirements of biodiversity conservation and management of flora and fauna.

Coast Guard ship Kittur Chennama had sailed for a routine Palkbay sortie on November 12, last year. It was a peaceful sortie until the ship received a signal from Coast Guard Station, Mandapam instructing it to be the escort ship for Santha Maria a Sri Lankan fishing boat, which was found fishing in Indian waters and was apprehended. As a goodwill gesture towards Sri Lankan government, the Government of India decided to release this boat and hand it over to Sri Lankan authorities.

A briefing of all officers and senior sailors was conducted before sailing for Sri Lanka. The Navigating Officer planned the operation taking into consideration the minutest details like speed of the boats involved, distance from IBL and various other manoeuvres as winds were strong and sea state was rough. Signal Communication Officer maintained effective communication with Coast Guard Station Mandapam, Naval detachment at Rameswaram, Sri Lankan Navy and the Indian escort boats, RMS 2203 and RMS 1873. On Novemeber 15, the anchor was weighed and the team proceeded to meet the escort boats. The boats, RMS 2203 and RMS 1873, were to carry officials of the Indian Fisheries Department.

After sometime, communication was established with Sri Lankan naval ship which came to receive Santha Maria. The Sri Lankan naval ship escorted the boats up to Talaimannar while RMS 2203 and RMS 1873 returned and escorted them up to Rameswaram.

CGS Kanaklata Barua was ordered to sail with dispatch to apprehend a Myanmarese national, who fled in an Indian fishing dinghy Gitanjali from Kala Pathar, South Havelock Island. With seven police personnel on board, the ship cruised along the west of Havelock Island to North Button Island.

Coast Guard's Dornier reported to Kanaklata about suspicious dinghies with approximately 30 crew onboard heading towards Great Coco Island. At that time the ship was 65 miles away from the dinghy. Without any delay, Kanaklata headed towards the said position with 20 knots. Meanwhile, Dornier kept informing them about the dinghies’ position. CG Dornier was also successful in stopping dinghies to cross international border line (IBL) by warning through hooters and loudhailer. Ship sighted both the dinghies and fired 15 rounds of 40/60 to stop them.

Both dinghies stopped after a long chase and 23 and 13 poachers were arrested from the two dinghies. The Indian dinghy got her shaft-joint broken while starting and was taken under tow. The ship headed towards Diglipur with Gitanjali under tow. The ship entered Port Blair with 36 Myanmarese and handed them over to the local police.

A medical camp was organised by CGS Sangram at Shri Sarvodaya Mahila Udyog Mandal, Okha in Gujarat as a part of community interaction. This institution came into existence in 1968 and has been doing a yeoman service for orphans, destitutes and widows. The institution carries out various community and family welfare activities by providing vocational training and education. It is also a partner of Gujarat State AIDS Control Society in the promotion of awareness on HIV/AIDS among the fishermen.

The response to the medical camp was overwhelming. Approximately 300 patients including women and children were treated and free medicines were distributed. The ship's Medical Officer Surg Lt DS Chauhan, along with his team, treated the ailing children and explained the effects of bad health on their studies. Old people and children were also educated on the importance of balance diet and personal hygiene.

The ship's crew participated in shramdaan at the Old Age Home and distributed ration among the inmates.

Coast Guard ship Veera conducted community interaction activity at Agatti in Lakshadweep Islands. About 90 schoolchildren of Agatti High School accompanied by their teachers were taken onboard the ship. The headmaster of the school was given a set of books required for training the students to join the defence forces. He was presented a painting for display in the school.

As an expression of concern for the orphans, CGS Veera has been regularly providing ration to the children of Badariya orphanage.