IndiaPosted at: Oct 8 2026 6:59PM


SAREX-2026: ICG conducts mass rescue drill off Paradip with 30 countries participating

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard on Thursday conducted the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) off the Paradip coast in Odisha, demonstrating India’s preparedness to mount coordinated mass rescue operations during complex maritime and aeronautical emergencies.
Conducted under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB), the exercise was held under the theme “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety” and sought to enhance operational readiness, interoperability and coordination among various maritime and aeronautical agencies.
Director General, Indian Coast Guard, Paramesh Sivamani, reviewed the exercise, which witnessed the participation of the Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Shipping Corporation of India, Directorate General of Shipping, Fisheries, Customs, Marine Police, Paradip Port Authority and the Odisha administration.
The exercise also saw the participation of 32 observers from 30 countries, providing an opportunity for participating nations to exchange best practices and strengthen international interoperability in maritime search and rescue operations.
The multinational participation, officials said, reinforced India’s role as a maritime Search and Rescue partner in the region and provided a platform for sharing operational experience and strengthening coordinated responses to emergencies at sea.
As many as 15 Coast Guard ships, three Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters and one Chetak helicopter were deployed for the exercise. The Indian Air Force participated with a C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, while two Indian Navy ships were also deployed along with civil and state resources and shore-based support units.
The sea drill simulated a mass rescue operation following a concurrent aeronautical and maritime distress emergency. Under the exercise scenario, a passenger aircraft carrying 228 people ditched into the sea near Paradip Port, with its fuselage subsequently impacting the container vessel MV Zumba, causing structural damage and triggering a fire.
The simulated emergency prompted activation of an Incident Command Post and a coordinated response involving firefighting, helicopter evacuation and multiple sea-based rescue techniques.
The exercise demonstrated the deployment of life rafts and air-droppable life rafts, Jason Cradle and Gemini recovery systems, rescue baskets and scramble nets, besides helicopter-based evacuation and other rescue procedures. The Coast Guard also demonstrated the capability of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) during the exercise.
The exercise was aimed at validating procedures for large-scale rescue operations and ensuring seamless coordination among multiple agencies during a complex maritime emergency involving a large number of people.
SAREX-2026 reaffirmed the collective commitment of India and its international partners towards building a faster, technology-enabled and coordinated maritime Search and Rescue framework, in line with the vision of SAGAR and the spirit of MAHASAGAR.
The exercise also reinforced the principle that every distress call must trigger a coordinated response and that all available resources should be mobilised to save lives at sea.
UNI PWS RSA
Tags: #SAREX-2026: ICG conducts mass rescue drill off Paradip with 30 countries participating
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