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History Of Indian Coast Guard

Laying the Keel (1977-78)

Ever since the 1960's, the Indian Navy had been requesting the Government of India for setting up an auxiliary service for Maritime Law Enforcement and undertaking "Safety and Protection" tasks in Indian waters. Deployment of sophisticated and high-value naval warships and assets was clearly not an optimal alternative for these tasks. In due course, this logic of the Navy was accepted by the Government, especially due to the fact that by the early 1970's, three other important factors contributed to the rationale for the early institution of a 'Coast Guard' service.

Sea-borne smuggling across the seas was rampant and threatened the nation's economy. The existing maritime agencies such as the Customs and the Fisheries Department did not have the capability to contain this large scale smuggling activity, and intercept illegeal vessels even within territorial waters. Against this backdrop, the 'Nag Committee' was setup in 1970, to examine the growing menace of smuggling. The committee recommended the need for a seperate marine force to deal with smuggling activities.

The discovery of oil in Mumbai (then Bombay) High, and the consequent development of high-value offshore installations, also necessitated measures for protection and disaster response in this extremely vital area of India's industrial and economic interests.

The Government, therefore, appointed a Committee in Sep 1974, under the chairmanship of Shri KF Rustamji, IPS (Ex DG BSF) to examine the shortcomings in the existing mechanism for combating smuggling and other illegal maritime activities, and suggest measures to protect India's marine resources. This Committee submitted its report in 1975, strongly recommending the setting up of a 'Coast Guard' type organisation for general superintendence and policing of our sea areas in

In 1977, Union Cabinet approved the setting up of a 'Coast Guard' with two frigates and five patrol boats transfered from the Indian Navy. The indian Coast Guard thus came into being on 01 Feb 1977, with a fleet strength of just seven ships for surveillance in the Indian waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Indian Coast Guard was formally inaugrated by th then Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai on 19 Aug 1978.


Inauguration of the Indian Coast Guard -19 Aug 1978

Vice Admiral V.A.kamath, the first Director general accompanying the hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Morarji Desai, after the inaugural function at naval Dockyard, Mumbai (1978). The then Defence Minister Shri Jagjivan Ram and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Jal Cursetji, PVSM also attended the inaugural ceremony.

ICGS Kuthar

The first Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Kuthar (Pennant No. 31) was transffered from the Indian Navy to the Indian Coast Guard in 1978. The first Commanding officer of the ship was Commander NS Achreja, who later retired as IG NS Achreja, PTM, TM, the Deputy Director General in Aug 1997.

The Prime Minister and the Defence Minister witnessed the lowering of the Naval ensign from INS Kuthar and hoisting of the Coast Guard ensign. By this ceremony, the ship was rechristened as ICGS Kuthar.

In order to strengthen the force-levels of the Coast Guard, it was desided in 1978 to transfr two Naval Seaward Defence Boats (SDB) nearing completion of construction at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers GRSE, Calcutta (Now Kolkata), to the Coast Guard. These were commissioned into Service in December 1980 and Novenber 1981.

The Indian Coast Guard inducted Chetak helicopters in 1982, as the standard Search and Rescue helicopter due to its vastly proven safety record. The helicopter is being manufactured in India by HAL since 1965, under licence from Aerospatiale, France.

Jai Hind !!!

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