Indian Coast Guard

With the adoption of the provisions of UN (Third Conference on the Laws of the Seas) , a need was felt to create a peacetime Marine Force to regulate Maritime laws and safeguard national interests in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone of the surrounding seas.

• For this purpose, the Indian Coast Guard was formally established on 18th August 1978.
• Its duties includes : (i) Safety and protection of offshore installations and artificial islands; (ii) Providing protection to fishermen in distress; (iii) Protection of maritime environment; (iv) Assisting Customs in anti-smuggling operations; (v) Enforcement of maritime Zones of India Act; (vi) Safety of life and property at sea; and (vii) Prevention and control of marine pollution.
• The command and control of the Coast Guard lies with the Director General of Coast Guard headquartered at New Delhi.
• Indian Coast Guard operations are divided into 4 regions: Western, Eastern, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and North West region. The Regional Headquarters are located at Mumbai, Chennai, Port Blair and Gandhi Nagar.