Exercise Sea Vigil 2024, India’s premier coastal security exercise, commenced today in West Bengal with the active participation of multiple stakeholders, including the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, State Government agencies, and the National Cadet Corps (NCC). The exercise, aimed at fortifying India’s coastal security architecture, underscores the importance of inter-agency coordination and vigilance to safeguard maritime borders.
The Tactical Phase of the exercise began with a high-level briefing at the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), established at the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) in Kolkata. The meeting was spearheaded by senior officials from Naval Officer-in-Charge (West Bengal) [NOIC(WB)] and attended by representatives of all participating agencies. Using detailed navigation charts, the initial deployment of assets and the plan for executing the exercise were deliberated.
Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) of the Indian Navy and patrolling crafts of the Indian Coast Guard have been deployed for riverine and coastal patrolling to ensure safe and secure maritime borders in the region. Port security has been further enhanced as part of the exercise, with coordinated efforts by all stakeholders.
A unique feature of *Sea Vigil 2024* is the inclusion of NCC cadets, who are actively participating in riverine patrolling. NCC students were briefed by NOIC(WB) staff on the assets deployed and the critical role of various stakeholders in maintaining maritime security. This initiative aims to instill awareness and a sense of responsibility among the younger generation towards national security.
Exercise Sea Vigil 2024 highlights the need for a collaborative approach to maritime security, emphasizing the seamless coordination between naval, state, and central agencies. As a nation with vast coastal borders, the exercise reaffirms India’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its maritime interests and promoting regional stability.
(Inputs from Wing Commander Himanshu Tiwari, Defence Spokesperson, Eastern Region)
