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The 21st National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting was held in Kolkata on Thursday.
The meeting was chaired by Director General Rakesh Pal, the Director General Indian Coast Guard, being the Chairman of the NMSAR Board. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is the coordinating and executing agency for Maritime Search and Rescue in the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR). The meeting was attended by representatives from stakeholders and resource agencies including the Navy, Indian Air Force, ISRO, Customs, Coastal Police, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airport Authority of India (AAI), SCI, IMD, Fisheries, DG shipping, maritime boards, port authorities, coastal states and UTs and other agencies, which are NMSAR Board members. During the meeting, National Search and Rescue (SAR) awards for the year 2022-23 were also presented. UK Flag vessel MV Furious was awarded in the merchant vessel category, Indian Fishing Boat New Aparajita from West Bengal was awarded in the fishing boat category, ICG Ship Sujeet and ICG Air Squadron 835 Sqn(CG) in the government-owned SAR unit category while Gujrat Maritime Board and INMCC received the award in the ashore unit category. The NMSAR Board was formed in 2002 and since then NMSAR Board meetings are held annually to discuss policy issues, formulate guidelines and procedures and consider recommendations for reviewing the National Search and Rescue plan. The Chairman DG Rakesh Pal, emphasised synergy amongst the stakeholders towards ensuring a safer sea for all seafarers. Apart from NMSAR Board members, senior dignitaries and special invitees from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) also attended the meeting. Various presentations and interactive sessions focussing on the collective common objective of the safety of lives at sea were discussed. (ANI)
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