SAREX-24: Enhancing Maritime Rescue through Regional Collaboration

Why in the news?

SAREX-24, a National Maritime Search and Rescue exercise, is being held in Kochi to improve coordination and response during maritime disasters, involving global and regional collaboration.

Overview of SAREX-24:

  • The 11th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-24) was held in Kochi from November 27–30, 2024.
  • Organized under the National Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) Board, the event emphasizes “Enhancing Search and Rescue Capabilities through Regional Collaboration.”
  • Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary, inaugurated the event alongside Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Director General S. Paramesh.
  • Aimed at improving large-scale response operations (Mass Rescue Operations or MRO), the exercise underscores ICG’s global commitment to maritime safety across the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).

SAREX-24: Enhancing Maritime Rescue through Regional Collaboration

Key Activities and Exercises:

  • Day 1 featured workshops, seminars, and tabletop exercises involving government agencies, armed forces, foreign delegates, and stakeholders.
  • Day 2 will include a sea exercise with simulated contingencies:
    • Distress onboard a passenger vessel carrying 500 individuals.
    • Ditching of a civil aircraft with 200 passengers.
  • Advanced technologies like satellite-aided distress beacons, drones, air-droppable life rafts, and remote-controlled life buoys will be demonstrated.
  • Vessels and aircraft from ICG, Navy, IAF, and Cochin Port Authority are participating alongside customs boats.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times