The Indian Coast Guard, the brown water force of the country, celebrated its silver jubilee anniversary. The year-long celebrations began on February 1, this year, the day on which 25 years back, the Interim Coast Guard organisation was set up.

At the Coast Guards Regional (East) Headquarters in Chennai, the celebrations were marked by release of a special cover, conduct of a cycle expedition and a reception. The Coast Guard ships and aircraft were thrown open for public viewing for two days.

Ten Coast Guard personnel led by Deputy Cmdt M Rafiquddin pedalled their way on bi-cycles for 12 days from Kanyakumari to Chennai. They arrived at the regional headquarters when the silver jubilee celebrations had just begun. Cmde R S Vasan, Commander of the Region received the members of the team who, during their journey interacted with the fishermen community in all the coastal towns enroute. The Post Master General (Northern Region) Chennai, Mrs K Noorjahan released the special cover and presented the expedition members with mementoes. The Commander also hosted a reception to mark the silver jubilee anniversary in which Madras High Court Chief Justice Mr B Shubhashan Reddy was the chief guest.

As a part of the silver jubilee celebrations, a Coast Guard Fleet Review will be conducted in Mumbai and an international seminar on search and rescue operations in Chennai, later this year, said Cmde Vasan while speaking to media persons.

Twenty-five years have seen the growth of the Coast Guard and its involvement in many activities of national and international significance. The force which initially consisted only two frigates and five small patrol craft, now has a strength of 6300 personnel including 700 officers and civilians. It has 58 ships of different sizes including vessels carrying integral helicopters. The recent addition of five hovercraft has given the Coast Guard the much required dimension for effective shallow water patrolling. The approved Coast Guard Development Plan proposes to have ten additional Coast Guard stations soon.

The capture of MV Kobe Queen involved in drug trafficking off Pondicherry has brought to fore the capabilities of Indian Coast Guard in securing Indian shores from intrusions. The Coast Guard, all these years, undertook 682 search and rescue missions, saved a total of 1371 lives and responded to 51 oil spill incidents. It apprehended 99 boats with 621 crew leading to a total contraband seizure of Rs 261.7 crore. It also seized 769 boats with 7972 crew during anti-poaching missions.