|
 An
indigenously built Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (APOV) of
the Indian Coast Guard, CGS Sangram was set sail from
Port Blair to Tokyo on an invitation from the Japanese
government to participate in Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Fleet
Review and Comprehensive Drills 2001 at Tokyo Bay. Sangram was
the first Indian Coast Guard ship ever to venture out of the
Indian Ocean. The ship, commanded by DIG K Balasubramanian,
carried an indigenous Chetak helicopter. It also
participated in joint exercises with JCG at Kagoshima in
southern Japan.
To
further the initiatives taken by the Indian Coast Guard to
combat transnational crimes and increase regional
co-operation, the Coast Guard ship whilst on her onward return
passage also called on the Ports of Manila, Phillipines and
Port Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam before returning to Port Blair.
The ship, during its stay at these ports, interacted with the
Coast Guards of respective countries to explore possibilities
of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in combating piracy
and armed robbery against ships besides other areas of
cooperation in the field of search and rescue, marine
pollution etc. Sangram, a Mumbai- based ship, had been
specially chosen for this visit to showcase India’s
capabilities in maritime law enforcement, search and rescue at
sea, anti-pollution measures and preservation of marine
environment. It may be recalled that Indian Coast Guard was
instrumental in successfully apprehending the pirates of
seajacked Japanese owned ship-MV Alondra Rainbow in
November 1999, off the West Coast of India.
At
Tokyo, Sangram was a guest of honour along with ships
of other Coast Guards of the region gathered to show
solidarity against transnational maritime crime and spread the
message: "Together for Safe Seas". The ship also
carried six cadets of the NCC (Marine Wing) to give them the
valuable experience of a long voyage and a ringside seat at a
prestigious international maritime event.
The
ship got a rare opportunity to do a noble task. Whilst at 42
nautical miles off Phillipines, the ship sighted two
Phillipine fisherman adrift at sea for five days with a
capsized boat. True to the traditions of Indian Coast Guard,
it rescued the two fishermen named Apolonio Guce, aged 46
years and Alponso Morillo, aged 40 years. The two fishermen
were provided prompt medical aid. The 11-metre boat Waden
1480 was also salvaged and embarked onboard. CGS Sangram
entered Manila Port to hand over the two fishermen and
their boat to Phillipine authorities. It was a symbolic gift
to Phillipines.
Co
operative engagement between India and Japan was further
strengthened when two ships Kashima and Yamagiri of
the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Forces (JMSDF) came to
Chennai on a four-day visit. The ships were under the command
of Rear Admiral Nobharu Yasui who is the Commander of the
Japanese Training Squadron. The visit to Chennai included
social interaction, call on military and other dignitaries and
sports fixture. A passage exercise with Indian Naval ships, Kuthar
and Kirpan, under the command of Flag Officer
Commanding Eastern Fleet was also conducted off Chennai. The
exercise included basic manoeuvres, flag hoist drills,
replenishment procedures and exchange of gun salutes.
input
: Commandant A S Chauhan |
