Port Blair, March 20: Headquarters, No.9 Coast Guard District North & Middle (N&M) Andaman at Diglipur, in conjunction with various Stakeholder agencies conducted two days Area Level Marine Oil Spill Pollution Response Exercise & Mock Drill at Diglipur on 18-19 Mar 2024. The exercise was aimed to evaluate the Capabilities and Response Mechanism to combat marine oil spill incident in the region. Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including combating oil spill at sea is one of the chartered duties of Indian Coast Guard. The exercise enhances Pollution Response expertise of various stakeholders and witnessed enthusiastic participation of 23 officials from Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, District Administration, Port Maritime Board, Dept. of Fisheries, Dept of Forest, Marine Police Force, etc.

The exercise provided an avenue to demonstrate capabilities of ICG in the domain of Marine Environment Protection, Combating Oil Spill Disaster and Structure of Crisis Management Group on Oil Spill incidents to protect vulnerable marine Flora & Fauna of A & N Islands.

On second day of the exercise a dedicated Mock Drill was undertaken wherein various oil spill response equipment for containment, recovery and disposal of spilled oil were showcased. One Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), ICGS Vishwast and two Interceptor Boats C-417 & C-416 of Indian Coast Guard participated in the exercise.

The two-day Area Level Pollution Exercise facilitate stakeholders to gain valuable insight and knowledge for planning and undertaking an effective response against marine oil spill incidents in A&N Islands.