• The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) celebrates its 48th Raising Day on February 1.

• ICG came into existence on February 1, 1977 with two frigates and five patrol boats transferred from the Indian Navy and. It was formally instituted on August 19, 1978. 

• Since its inception, the service has acquired a wide range of capabilities, both surface and airborne, to undertake the assigned tasks during peacetime and to supplement the efforts of the Indian Navy.

• From a modest beginning with just seven surface platforms, the ICG has grown into a formidable force with 159 vessels and 72 aircraft in its inventory and is likely to achieve targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025.

• As the fourth largest coast guard in the world, ICG has played a significant role in securing the coasts and enforcing regulations within the maritime zones of India.

The role of Coast Guard

• Indian Navy has been designated as the authority responsible for overall maritime security including coastal and offshore security. Indian Navy is assisted by Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Coastal Police and other central and state agencies.

• ICG is a multi-mission organisation, conducting round-the-year operations at sea. Despite being relatively small, it has a wide range of task capabilities for both surface and air operations.

• A charter of duties is laid down in the Coast Guard Act, 1978.

Duties of Indian Coast Guard include:

i) Ensure safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations.

ii) Protection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at sea.

iii) Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution control.

iv) Assistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations.

v) Law enforcement in territorial as well as international waters.

vi) Scientific data collection and support.

vii) National defence during hostilities (under the operational control of the Indian Navy).

• True to its motto “Vayam Rakshamah”, meaning “We Protect”, Indian Coast Guard has to its credit of saving over 11,881 lives and apprehending around 14,000 miscreants since inception in 1977. 

• The deterrence created by the Indian Coast Guard is not limited to the Indian waters, but collaboration with friendly littoral states as per provisions of bilateral cooperation agreements resulted in successful apprehension and seizure of drugs in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The real time information sharing, close coordination and understanding between ICG and other international agencies have been the highlights of these operations.

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