No significant threat, say Coast Guards

No significant threat, say Coast Guards

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, January 1, 2011: The Coast Guard has speeded up its coastal security activities since a month as the year has confronted the precarious ’sensitive time’. Strict vigilance is on at the West coast and the islands including Lakshadweep and Minicoy. The Coast Guard ships and aircraft are monitoring the coast to avoid piracy attack which is one of the threats during the season.

Informing the same to the press persons, Commandant R K Sharma assured that no significant threat has been found in the coastal region so far. Coast Guard has been receiving immense back up from the government since the occurrence of 26/11 terror attack. The enhancement of coastal security force is in progress in the form of adding additional ships, aircraft and opening up new stations, informed Sharma.

A new coast guard station has been already opened in Minicoy on December 24. According to Coast Gurad Executive Officer Commandant Rajender Singh Sapal, yet another station will be set up at Ratnagiri in March, while there are plans to set up stations at Androth (Gujarat) and Dhanu (Maharashtra). If everything goes fine, then Bhatkal or Gangolli too may have a CG station. Apart from setting up the stations, the Indian Coast Guard will strengthen its power by launching air units at Ratnagiri, Mangalore, Kochi and Minicoy.

Talks are on to acquire land at Mangalore Old Airport to develop Air Enclave in Mangalore. Airport Authority of India and Directorate of Infrastructure of Coast Guard are having deliberations so as to meet the Coast Guard’s demand, informed Singh.

Radar Operating System
To strengthen the electronic monitoring system, the Coast Guard in collaboration with BEL is working towards setting up of Radar Operating System (ROS) at Bhatkal Light House and Suratkal Light house. ROS has been already set up in Bhatkal which would start functioning soon. As for as installing ROS in Suratkal is concerned, the work will begin at the earliest.

Pirates’ trouble
Several fast patrol vessels have been deployed for vigilance at the west coast and islands. Savitri Bai Phule Fast Patrol Vessel from Mangalore Coast Guard is one of the vessels deployed to monitor the coastal activities. The Coast Guard officers suspect the presence of a mother pirate vessel which is supporting the small pirate boats. “Coast Guard is doing its best to locate the mother vessel,” said Singh. DHNS