118 ships in 'Op Sajag' boost coastal security, raise awareness among fishermen

The Indian Coast Guard executed 'Operation Sajag' along the west coast on September 18, 2023. This drill, involving all stakeholders in the coastal security framework, aimed to revalidate existing mechanisms while raising awareness among seafaring fishermen.

Bharat Bhushan Babu, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence, stated on X, "Operation Sajag 2023: Ensuring Coastal Security - India Coast Guard's comprehensive drill conducted along the west coast today. Strengthening safety & raising awareness among our coastal communities."

(Image: Indian Coast Guard)

The Indian Coast Guard provided further insight, noting, "Special Ops ‘Sajag’ conducted by India Coast Guard along the coast of Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala & Mahe, Lakshadweep to enhance Coastal Security along the West Coast. Seamless coordination with marine police & other stakeholders was observed."During the drill, verification of documents and crew passes for all fishing boats, barges, and crafts at sea took place. A total of 118 ships, including vessels from Customs, Marine Police, Ports, and the Indian Navy, actively participated in the exercise.

An official statement stated that a series of measures have been implemented to fortify the coastal security infrastructure. These include the issuance of biometric cards for fishermen, colour coding of fishing boats based on the state, manning of fish landing centres, and access control at entry/exit points. Additional measures involve coastal mapping, designating specific marine band frequencies for security agencies, and providing training to marine police personnel by the Indian Coast Guard.

Image: Indian Coast Guard

Biometric card readers have also been issued to security agencies to increase their capacity for oversight. Beyond monitoring, the coastal security construct now includes island security and community interaction programs. This day-long drill is conducted on a monthly basis, with the results serving as a catalyst for refining the coastal security infrastructure. Through this process, various coastal security measures are thoroughly verified, while vital lessons and emerging trends in coastal security are brought to light.

During 'Operation Sajag' in 2020, the exercise was held off Karnataka's coast, then Deputy Inspector General S B Venkatesh noted drawbacks in fishing boats, as PTI reported. Many trawlers lacked mandatory documents and life jackets. The Coast Guard made plans to address this issue with the Fisheries department and intended to prioritise the safety of the fishermen. One of the initiatives under Sajag was to have life jackets aboard all trawlers. The operation then ensured fishermen adhered to precautionary measures, like functional distress alert transmitters. Plans for a hoverport and separate hangars for crafts were also established.