Coast Guard devises plan to conduct rescue operations in case of emergency landings

After two cases  of emergency landings in Mumbai waters, the Indian Coast Guard has reportedly devised an elaborate plan to conduct search and rescue operations in the event of crisis which causes aircraft water ditching in the sea. Sources quoted by The Indian Express said that on 26 July, the Mumbai Air Traffic Control (ATC) intimated the Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai, that the pilot of the flight Boeing 777-300 (EK 652) with 319 passengers on board, at a distance of 200 nautical miles (NM) reported smoke on the flight whilst on a passage from UAE to Maldives (Male). [caption id=“attachment_3076136” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Indian Coast Guard participating in a mock drill. Reuters[/caption] The Indian Coast Guard had to divert two of its patrolling ships off West-South-West coast of Mumbai and stationed other vessels on standby, according to a report by The Hindu. The report mentioned another incident occurred on 15 September when a Gulf Aircraft GFA 61 reported a burning smell on board when the aircraft was at least 200 kilometres off Mumbai. The Coast Guard has set up an Incident Command System (ICS), which works closely with the state disaster group, to deal with any mass rescue operations. Once an emergency is declared, they monitor the aircraft and move their ships simultaneously. The passengers also need urgent medical assistance once they have been rescued. The Coast Guard is ensuring that they are well prepared to conduct rescue operations during a mishap. The Indian Coast Guard has played a major role in safeguarding the maritime interests of the country. Director General of ICG Rajendra Singh said that the changing security scenario in the maritime domain dictates the need for coastal security on a 24X7 basis. With inputs from PTI