Under aegis of NAMSAR Board, a State-level Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop (MSAR-24) was conducted by Indian Coast Guard on 24 September 2024 at Okha with  the theme “Mass Rescue Operations at Sea : Development of Local Contingency Plan.” Organized by Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC), Okha under HQ No. 15 Coast Guard District (North Gujarat), the workshop brought together key resource agencies, including the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Border Security Force, District Administration, National Disaster Response Force, INCOIS, Gujarat Maritime Board, Okha Port, Marine Police, Fisheries Department, Deendayal Port Authority, Nayara Energies, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and other key stakeholders within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).

            The event was conducted in two sessions, wherein, the first session featured presentations on Maritime Search and Rescue capabilities by the Indian Air Force, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, District Disaster Management Authority, and Deendayal Port Authority OOT Vadinar. The first session of the workshop was aimed at conduct of deliberations towards formulation of local contingency plan for MRO at sea and harmonizing the efforts of all resource agencies.

The second session comprised a live demonstration of search and rescue capabilities by all resource agencies at Okha. The highlights included rescue operations by ICG and IN boats, ICG hovercraft, Marine Police boats, Okha Port tugs, and an IAF helicopter from Air Force Station, Jamnagar. Additionally, the NDRF and ICG displayed state-of-the-art rescue equipment during the event.

PR GNR/MC/AG/57/2024