Indian Coast Guard organises 'Day at Sea'

Bay of Bengal, Jan 18: The Coast Guard Eastern region organised 'Day at Sea', a precursor to the week-long celebrations coinciding with 'Coast Guard Day' that falls on Feb 1.

"In the week-long celebrations which commenced from Jan 15, Indian Coast Guard ships Sarang Sagar, Samudra Paheredar, Vishwast, Abheek, two Chetak helicopters and Dornier aircraft formed part of the exercise," an official release said on Jan 17.

Led by Coast Guard Eastern region Commander S P Sharma the ships carrying family members of the personnel sailed out from Chennai.

The fleet displayed various roles played by it including combating piracy, search and rescue among others, it stated.

In another release, the Coast Guard said, "Subsequent to understanding between India and Sri Lanka, repatriation of eight fishermen hailing from Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu were carried out on January 15."

Coast Guard Ship 'Rani Abbakka' had taken over the fishermen at the Indian Maritime Boundary line from Sri Lankan authorities and they were brought to Karaikal port. "After investigation the fishermen were handed over to fisheries department officials," the release stated.

PTI