The fourth edition of the nationwide Coastal Defence Exercise, 'Sea Vigil 2024', is all set to begin on Wednesday. The Southern Naval Command will coordinate the two-day exercise in Kerala and Lakshadweep.
'Sea Vigil 2024' will focus on strengthening the security of coastal assets, such as ports, oil rigs, single-point moorings, cable landing points, and critical coastal infrastructure, including the safety of coastal populations.
The exercise, which will be conducted by the Indian Navy with the participation and support of 16 Central and state agencies, including the Coast Guard, Kerala Police, Marine Enforcement Wing of the Fisheries Department, Department of Shipping, Ports and Waterways, CISF, BSF, DGLL (Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships), Customs, Intelligence Bureau, NCC, and others, will be overseen by Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command and Commander-in-Chief of Coastal Defence (South).
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According to Navy officials, the NCC is participating in the exercise for the first time.
The biennial exercise, which began in 2009 in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, aims to validate the efficacy of the coastal defence response across the Indian coastline against threats arising from the sea, Navy officers said.
Five ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and other agencies will participate in the exercise, they added.