India: CG Officers Complete Training

A total of 33 Assistant Commandants of the 54th Batch including Lady Officers of the Women’s batch passed out of the portals of Coast Guard Training Center Fort Kochi on successful completion of Law and Operations Course today.

The Passing Out Parade was reviewed by Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coast Guard. The “Sword of Honour” for standing first in overall order of merit was awarded to Assistant Commandant Satish Kumar by Vice Admiral Muralidharan. Speaking to the personnel on parade Vice Admiral Muralidharan said that the role and responsibilities of Indian Coast Guard are growing in tandem with national interests. Contemporary transnational concerns such as piracy, human trafficking, drugs and arms smuggling are on the rise along with encroachment of maritime zones. The Admiral also reminded them that while maritime terror has proven that the seas unite, they are also often exploited to advance the agenda of anti national elements. He expressed the optimism that the training and experience gleaned in the service will enable them to tackle these emergent challenges. The Indian Coast Guard is expected to grow incrementally to achieve a force level of 150 surface platforms and 100 air assets by 2018 he said. The Admiral also informed the audience that the number of Coast Guard Stations will be increased to 42 by the end of the year.

The 11 week Law and Operations Course for Coast Guard comprise of a wide range of subjects which include among others maritime law and its enforcement, search and rescue operations, fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance, and prevention and control of marine pollution. The Parade was attended by Inspector General SPS Basra Commander Coast Guard Region West , DIG Satish Chandran, Commander District headquarters No 4 and a host of senior Naval and Coast Guard Officers and families.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff, August 14, 2012; Image: Indian Navy