A joint exercise held between the Coast Guards of India and Japan off the coast of Chennai
New Delhi, 12 Jan 24: A joint exercise between Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard was held off the coast of Chennai on 12 Jan 24. The exercise was conducted in line with Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between the India and Japan signed in 2006, wherein both countries had agreed to promote interaction between the two Coast Guard organizations including High Level Visits, Annual Joint Exercises, training exchanges, workshops and seminars.
In continuance of this ongoing cooperation, Japan Coast Guard Ship ‘Yashima” had arrived Chennai on 10 Jan 24 on a four – day goodwill visit. The ship participated in Annual Joint Exercise on 12 Jan 24 in which nine ships and six aircraft of Indian Coast Guard also participated. This the 20th such exercise being conducted between the two Coast Guards since its institution in the year 2000. This Joint Exercise was coordinated by Headquarters, Coast Guard Region (East) headed by Inspector General Donny Michael, TM.
During the joint exercise, various evolution wereundertaken by ships as per Coast Guard charter of duties such as Search and Rescue, Pollution Response, external fire fighting, boarding operations and high speed interdiction etc.
The highlight of the exercise was the usage of remotely operated Lifebouy for rescuing persons at sea during mass rescue operation.Various other types of seamanshipevolutions and manoeuvring exercises were also conducted to streamline joint procedures towards further improving interoperability between the two Coast Guard.
The exercise further aimed to strengthenties and mutual understanding between the two maritime agencies, validating strengthening Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and sharing of best practices.
The joint exercise will strengthen existing bilateral relationship, which will enable both the Coast Guards to work together to protect shared interests if such need arises, whether it is responding to threat from piracy, Search and Rescue (SAR) or protection of Marine Environment.
A joint press conference was also held towards the end of exercise in which Inspector General Donny Michael, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (East) and representative from Japan Coast Guard addressed the media.
Speaking on the occasion, IG Donny Michael,TM gave a historic background about commencement of such bilateral exercises between India and Japan. The Regional Commander also gave an outline of how these exercises have evolved over a period of time with changes in technology and appearance of unmanned systems.
Addressing the gathering, the representative from Japan Coast Guard laid emphasis on mutual cooperation between India and Japan and various takeaways during such joint evolutions which are beneficial to both organizations.
At the helm of the JCG ship is the Commanding Officer, Captain Yuichi Motoyama who is assisted by a team of professional and highly motivated men and women of the Japan Coast Guard. The ship is scheduled to leave Chennai harbour on 14 Jan 24.
