In a remarkable display of maritime cooperation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully conducted a rescue operation for 27 Bangladeshi fishermen. The incident unfolded on April 4, 2024, when the ICG Ship Amogh, patrolling the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), spotted the Bangladeshi fishing boat Sagar II adrift in Indian waters.
The ICG’s swift response involved launching a boarding team to the stranded vessel, where they discovered the boat had been without steering capabilities for two days due to a gear breakdown. Despite efforts by the ICG technical team, the boat’s rudder was irreparable at sea.
Leveraging favorable sea conditions, a decision was made to tow the boat to the IMBL, where it would be transferred to another Bangladeshi vessel or the Bangladesh Coast Guard, in line with the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations’ coast guards.
Communication lines were promptly opened between the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Kolkata and their Bangladeshi counterparts to coordinate the rescue plan. The Bangladesh Coast Guard Ship Kamaruzzaman was dispatched and took over the towing operations near the IMBL later that day.
This operation is a testament to the Indian Coast Guard’s dedication to its humanitarian role at sea, embodying their motto “VAYAM RAKSHAMAH” – “WE PROTECT”. It also underscores the importance of regional Search and Rescue (SAR) structures and the value of international cooperation in maritime safety and security.
Memorandum of Understanding between Indian and Bangladesh Coast Guards.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) is a framework for cooperation on maritime issues of mutual interest. Signed in 2015, with a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) established in 2017, the MoU facilitates collaboration in several key areas:
- Combating Transnational Illegal Activities: The MoU provides a basis for both coast guards to work together in preventing and suppressing illegal activities at sea, such as smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal fishing.
- Information Sharing: It establishes protocols for the exchange of relevant maritime information between the two countries, enhancing the effectiveness of their maritime law enforcement efforts.
- Capability Building: The agreement includes provisions for mutual assistance in capacity building, which may involve training, joint exercises, and sharing of best practices.
- Sensitization of Fishermen: There’s an emphasis on educating fishermen about cross-border fishing laws to prevent inadvertent territorial violations.
- Search and Rescue Operations: The MoU also covers cooperation in search and rescue operations, ensuring a coordinated response to maritime emergencies.
This agreement underscores the commitment of both nations to regional security and the safety of life at sea, fostering a collaborative relationship that benefits the broader maritime community in the Bay of Bengal region.
How do they handle incidents involving distressed vessels near their shared maritime border?
When handling incidents involving distressed vessels near the Indo-Bangladesh International Maritime Border Line (IMBL), the Indian and Bangladesh Coast Guards follow a collaborative approach as outlined in their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Here’s how a typical rescue operation unfolds:
- Detection and Assessment: The coast guard of either country, upon detecting a distressed vessel, assesses the situation to understand the nature of the distress and the assistance required.
- Launch of Rescue Operation: A rescue mission is initiated, with the nearest coast guard ship responding swiftly to provide immediate assistance.
- Technical Evaluation: The technical team from the responding coast guard attempts to identify and rectify the defect if possible. If repairs cannot be made at sea, they proceed to the next step.
- Towing and Handover: If the sea state and weather conditions allow, the distressed vessel is towed to the IMBL. It is then handed over to a vessel from the other country’s coast guard or to another fishing boat operating across the IMBL, in accordance with the MoU.
- Communication and Coordination: Throughout the operation, there is constant communication between the regional headquarters of the involved coast guards to inform about the incident and coordinate the plan of action.
This procedure ensures that precious lives at sea are safeguarded and reflects the commitment of both coast guards to uphold their humanitarian duties and international cooperation.