Port Blair, March 1: Indian Coast Guard component at ANC, conducted an IMO Level-I course for various stakeholders responsible for Pollution Response Operation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The course was conducted by Coast Guard Pollution Response Team (A & N) from 26 Feb to 01 Mar 24 at Port Blair. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), being the central coordinating agency for combating oil pollution in the maritime zones of India, conducts the course in line with the guidelines of OPRC convention 1992 to which India is a signatory. Accordingly, the IMO level courses are structured and conducted by the Indian Coast Guard to provide effective training to all stakeholders for coordinated response operations against any marine oil spills.

The training was inaugurated by DIG PB Mandal, TM, COMDIS-14. The participants consisted of 5 Officers and 20 Subordinate Officers/Personnel from Indian Coast Guard along with 4 Personnel from various stakeholders such as Port Management Board (PMB), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and Fisheries department. During the IMO Level-I Course, the participants actively engaged in immersive practical training sessions, complemented by a comprehensive mock drill conducted at sea off NSCB island on 29 Feb 24, wherein ICG ships demonstrated pollution response mechanism and CG Dronier and Chetak Helicopter Ex-CGAE(PBR) displayed aerial Oil spill Dispersant (OSD) application.

The course curriculum provided the participants an insight into the various aspects of pollution response. On completion of the course all participants were awarded with IMO level-I training Certification, on 01 Mar 24.