First Coast Guard Academy to come up in Kannur

Coastal security is of utmost importance, says Antony

The upcoming academy is part of a series of measures taken by the government to substantially enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard in the wake of the Mumbai terror attack.

When commissioned in about three and a half years, the futuristic academy will be able to train up to 500 trainees in disciplines such as search and rescue, marine oil spill response, maritime law, fisheries, and boarding and rummaging. It will also cater to personnel from friendly foreign countries, marine police and the navy.   Antony said the government accorded utmost importance to coastal security in view of the asymmetric threats from the sea.

He urged the Coast Guard and Navy to never let their guard down reminding them that nations which have ignored maritime security had done so only at their own peril.

The minister said that the Indian Coast Guard was in the process of consolidating manpower and assets to face anti-national elements.

Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra, Director General of Indian Coast Guard while welcoming the gathering, said that with the setting up of ICGA, the country joined a select group of nations with their own Coast Guard Academy. State Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty and former minister Elamaram Karim were among the dignitaries who attended the function.