Paradip: A two-day Regional Level Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) Workshop and Sea Exercise was conducted at Paradip from November 14–15, 2025, under the aegis of the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (North East) and coordinated by the Commander Coast Guard (Odisha).
The exercise witnessed the active participation of key SAR stakeholders and resource agencies from across Odisha, including OSDMA, district administration officials, Paradip Port authorities, Customs, Indian Navy, Marine Police, Odisha Police, CISF, the Departments of Fisheries and Forest, and the District Medical Department.
The Indian Coast Guard, India’s national maritime SAR service provider tasked with overseeing a vast Search and Rescue Region under the NMSAR Board, led the workshop with a focus on strengthening inter-agency coordination and operational readiness. Participants were briefed on the professional nuances of SAR protocols, operational mechanisms, constructs, procedures, and SOP validation while emphasising enhanced cooperation during real-time emergencies at sea.
A key highlight of the workshop was the table-top exercise simulating diverse SAR scenarios that tested stakeholders’ preparedness, communication flow, and collaborative decision-making.
On the second day, a comprehensive Sea Exercise was conducted off the Paradip coast. The Indian Coast Guard, as the lead SAR agency, orchestrated near-real-time demonstrations involving mass rescue operations, medical triage, casualty evacuation, and coordinated rescue techniques. Multiple rescue assets from partner agencies showcased seamless interoperability, underscoring the collective commitment to safeguarding lives at sea—both in aeronautical and maritime domains.
The two-day programme served as a platform for validating operational SOPs, improving institutional synergy, and bolstering Odisha’s maritime SAR capabilities.
