Samudra Paheredar arrives in Manila Bay, as part of ASEAN deployment

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship ‘Samudra Peheredar’ is on a three-day visit to Manila Bay, Philippines from 25 March 2024. ‘Samudra Peheredar’ is a special pollution control ship.

• The ICG ship is on overseas deployment to ASEAN countries – Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei from 25 March to 12 April 2024.

Purpose of Samudra Peherekhar's visit:

• This visit of this special pollution control ship is part of a broader initiative. The objectives of this initiative can be seen in the following points:
  • To demonstrate ICG marine pollution response capabilities.
  • Strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG).
  • ASEAN aims to share concerns and resolve regarding marine pollution in the region.

Samudra Peherekhar's trip to three countries:

• During its deployment, the ship is scheduled to conduct port inspections at Manila (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) and Muara (Brunei).

Samudra Peherekhar equipped with marine pollution control equipment:

• The ship is equipped with special marine pollution control equipment to control pollution.
• Besides, a Chetak helicopter has also been deployed in it for pollution response configuration.

Works of sea patrol:

• The sea watchman has to get rid of the problem of pollution occurring daily in the sea. Under this, the sea guards will perform the following tasks:
  • Prevent oil spills in the ocean
  • Collecting oil spills
• The operation is designed to address other marine pollution problems. Pollution response training and practical demonstration of various equipment will be conducted at the visited ports.

Samudra Peheredar will be involved in other activities:

• Samudra Pehredar will also participate in the government initiative “Puneet Sagar Abhiyaan”.
• 25 NCC cadets have also been inducted to provide an international reach in coordination with partner countries.
• Also, cleaning of beaches during the ship's port visits in coordination with ICG ship personnel, personnel of partner agencies and local youth organizations.

Importance of Samudra Peherekhar's visit:

• The visit will strengthen bilateral relations with key maritime agencies including the Philippine, Vietnamese and Brunei maritime agencies.
• The Indian Coast Guard has entered into an MoU with the coast guards of the Philippines and Vietnam to enhance maritime cooperation and maritime safety and security.
• These relationships have evolved over the years to ensure safety, security and the marine environment in the region. This trip of Samudra Pehredar included the following activities:
  • Professional exchange
  • Cross-deck voyages
  • Official and social activities including joint exercises as well as visits to capacity building facilities.

Third deployment of Samudra Pehredar to ASEAN countries:

• This is the third consecutive deployment of the Indian Coast Guard to ASEAN countries.
• Earlier in the year 2023, ICG pollution control ships had visited ASEAN countries as part of this initiative. These mainly included traveling to Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

About ICGS ‘Samudra Peheredar’:

• ICGS Samudra Paheredar is deployed off the east coast of India at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The sea patrol is under the command of Deputy Inspector General Sudhir Raveendran.
• Over the years, Samudra Pehredar has successfully participated in several maritime operations. Mainly among these are the following:
  • Marine pollution response
  • IMBL/EEZ monitoring
  • Prevent international crimes
  • Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)

About Puneet Sagar Campaign:

• The campaign was launched on December 1, 2021 by the NCC to keep the beaches free from plastic and other waste materials.
• It was launched by NCC to clean the beaches and other water bodies including rivers and lakes by removing plastic and other garbage.
• The campaign seeks to raise awareness among local people about the importance of keeping beaches and river banks clean.
• It tries to educate the local people and make them aware about ‘Swachh Bharat’ at national and international level.