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Samudra Paheredar

10th April, 2024 Security

Samudra Paheredar

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Context

  • Indian Coast Guard Vessel Samudra Paheredar makes a port call at Muara, Brunei

Details

  • Visit was done as part of its ongoing overseas deployment to ASEAN countries.
  • The visit of ICG specialised vessels to ASEAN countries is in pursuance of India ASEAN Initiative for Marine Pollution, as announced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in the year 2022 in Cambodia during the ASEAN Defence Minister Plus Meeting.
  • During the three-day visit, the crew of ICGS Samudra Paheredar will engage in professional interactions focusing on Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), and Maritime Law Enforcement.

Importance of the visit

  • It will strengthen ties between the Indian Coast Guard and their Brunei counterparts.
  • It also aims to showcase India's shipbuilding capabilities, supporting the concept of “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India”.
  • This overseas deployment is a testimony to the Indian Coast Guard's commitment to bolster bilateral relationships and enhance international cooperation with Foreign Friendly Countries (FFCs).
  • Before Muara, ICGS Samudra Paheredar visited Vietnam and the Philippines, demonstrating a seamless continuation of diplomatic maritime engagements in the ASEAN region.
  • 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) aboard ICGS Samudra Paheredar will participate in Beach Cleanup activities contributing to the Government’s initiative “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan”.
  • ICGS Samudra Paheredar's deployment to the ASEAN region reflects India's shared concern and resolve towards Marine Pollution.
  • It is important in promoting maritime safety and security through maritime cooperation, aligned with India's maritime vision encapsulated in SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region, Act East Policy and Indo Pacific Vision.

ICGS Samudra Paheredar

  • Commissioned in 2012, It is a Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) of the Indian Coast Guard.
  • It is the second Pollution Control Vessel of India (the first wasICGS Samudra Prahari).
  • It was indigenously built by ABG Shipyard, Surat.
  • It is stationed on the East Coast of India in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Features:

  • At economical speed, the ship has an endurance of 6,500 nautical miles and can stay at sea for 20 days.
  • The ship’s primary role is pollution response at sea and is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated pollution response and control equipment for mitigating oil spills, which includes containment equipment like hi-sprint booms and river booms, recovery devices like skimmers, and side sweeping arms.
  • The ship is capable of unhindered oil-recovery operations, with a storage capacity of 502 kilolitres.
  • It has an integrated platform management system, a power management system, and a high-powered external fire fighting system.
  • It is capable of operating one twin-engine ALH/ Chetak helicopter.

“Puneet Sagar Abhiyan”

National Cadet Corps (NCC) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on September 22, 2022 to tackle the issue of plastic pollution and achieve the universal goal of clean water bodies through ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ and ‘Tide Turners Plastic Challenge programme’.

The aim of the campaign is to clean sea shores from plastic and other waste material and create awareness about the importance of cleanliness.

Since the launch of Puneet Sagar Abhiyan, over 100 tonnes of plastic waste have been collected from nearly 1,900 locations by more than 12 lakh NCC cadets, alumni and volunteers.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2017549

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.  Consider the following statements about “'Samudra Paheredar”

  1. It is the first Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) of the Indian Navy.
  2. It was indigenously built by GRSE Kolkata.
  3. The ship is also capable of unhindered oil-recovery operations, with a storage capacity of 502 kilolitres.
  4.  ICGS Samudra Paheredar recently visited Sri Lanka to participate in Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), and Maritime Law Enforcement.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only Two
  3. All three
  4. Al Four

Answer- A