CG meet focuses on future strategies

CHENNAI: The Coast Guard Region (East) organised a three-day State Commanders’ Conference at its headquarters near Napier Bridge here for taking stock of the policy and plan of the maritime force and for chalking out a strategy for the future. In his inaugural address on Monday, Inspector General Satya Prakash Sharma, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), highlighted the need for maintaining close vigil on the Maritime Zones along the east coast, especially the vital assets, with the available surface platforms and air assets.Sharma also highlighted the need for an improved level of coordination and communication with various State administrations, ports, exploration and production (E&P) operators and other security agencies.He also stressed the need to consolidate the strength of all stakeholders and an optimum surveillance on a day-to-day basis.The Commanders of Coast Guard headquarters located in West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and the Station Commanders of Coast Guard Stations at Mandapam, Thoothukudi, Kakinada and Puducherry, Commanding Officers of ships based in Chennai, Officer-in-Charge of various support units based at Chennai Coast Guard Air Station and Coast Guard Air Enclave in Kolkata participated in the conference, where infrastructure development related issues were discussed. In his address, Sharma also highlighted the plea from all district/station commanders to give due importance for infrastructure development projects inclusive of sport facilities, keeping in mind the growth of the service.During the course of the conference, issues related to deployment of assets, materials and infrastructure development, including berthing space for Coast Guard ships on the Eastern Coast, were deliberated upon.