On March 28 and 29, 2023, the Indian Coast Guard conducted a regional search and rescue exercise in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
The exercise’s objectives were to replicate a maritime emergency in real time and demonstrate how the Search and Rescue (SAR) organisation operates during a large-scale rescue operation. All parties were participated in the drill, which made efficient use of the M-SAR (Maritime Search and Rescue) contingency resources.
A significant fire onboard an offshore support vessel (OSV) carrying more than a hundred passengers was simulated during the drill and reported off Kakinada.
To save the lives of those in need, the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Kakinada collaborated with all resource agencies. To assist with the efforts at sea, the state’s disaster contingency plan was activated. The exercise included external fire fighting of the troubled ship, an abandon ship simulation, the deployment of a rescue boat, a Jason Cradle, a scramble net, a life raft, and a life buoy, as well as drone monitoring, de-induction of casualty rescue by helicopter, and medical management. The incident command post, triage for treating casualties, and essential infrastructure for managing serious wounded were among the ashore preparations.
Given the extensive exploration and production activities taking place in the Krishna Godavari basin, which make the area susceptible to emergencies requiring a large-scale SAR response, the sea area near Kakinada was selected as the exercise’s location. The two-day long workshop and exercise enhanced knowledge and understanding, promoting cooperation and coordination amongst member agencies for a Mass Rescue Operation (MRO), wherein the efforts of a single agency may not be sufficient.
