13th edition of India- Japan Coast Guard joint exercise was held off Kochi today. JCG (Japan Coast Guard Ship) Mizuho and its integral helicopter, Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samrat, Chetak helicopter, Dornier aircraft, and ICGS C-404 took part in the exercise tiltled Sahayog- Kaijin 2014, and held approximately 20 nautical miles off Kochi. Admiral Yuji Sato, Commandant of Japan Coast Guard, and Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, Director General of Indian Coast Guard who were embarked on board ICGS Samrat witnessed the exercise. The exercises included cross deck landings, anti piracy drills, search and rescue demonstration and a fire fighting demonstration. Addressing the media jointly on board ICGS Samrat, on completion of the exercise, both Admirals expressed satisfaction at successful conduct of the exercise. Such exercises improved inter operability and confidence in operating together, and are aimed at capacity building they said. In reply to a specific question, Vice Admiral Thapliyal pointed out the fact that threat of piracy has been wiped out of India’s west coast through joint efforts of Indian Navy and Coast Guard and underscored the fact that this area needs to be removed from the definition of high risk area for piracy. The joint exercise between Coast Guards of India and Japan held annually since 1999, focuses on anti piracy procedures, pollution control measures and other areas of common professional interest. Inspector General SPS Basra, Commander Coast Guard Region West and senior officials of Japan Coast Guard delegation also witnessed the exercise.
