How to combat oil, chemical spills at sea - Indian Coast Guard trains foreign counterparts

The Indian Coast Guard is conducting a two-week International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Oil Preparedness Response and Cooperation (OPRC) course for India's Friendly Foreign Countries.

The course is being conducted for participants from seven ASEAN countries, with two officers each from Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The training is underway at the newly-inaugurated Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre (RMPRC), Chennai. The facility was inaugurated last week by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Officers from #Myanmar #Thailand #Vietnam #Philippines #Cambodia #Malaysia #Indonesia are training at the newly inaugurated @IndiaCoastGuard Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre #chennai

As a force with diverse, proven experience is complex ops, ICC trains foreign forces https://t.co/KyjE5T6N0S pic.twitter.com/MsXQYk4wft — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 23, 2024

The establishment of the RMPRC fulfills a key commitment made during the maiden India-ASEAN Defense Ministers’ meeting in Cambodia, in November 2022.

The RMPRC is a pioneer facility in the region, specifically designed to coordinate and enhance responses to marine pollution incidents, including Oil and Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS), affecting the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean Region.

Combating oil, chemical spills at sea requires highly specialized training, equipment.. @IndiaCoastGuard has a legacy of combating oil spills, protecting maritime environment..
In line with this, ICG's new RMPRC facility #Chennai is training Coast Guard personnel from ASEAN pic.twitter.com/DaPrtO15gy — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) August 23, 2024

As the Central Coordinating Agency for marine oil spill responses at the national level, the Indian Coast Guard is dedicated to supporting regional countries in building their capabilities for effective pollution management.

The center will oversee emergency incidents by providing advisory and support through a dedicated Emergency Response Centre. A 24/7 emergency hotline has been established at the centre to offer real-time assistance to response managers, guiding them on response strategies, techniques, and equipment.

The centre will focus on capacity building by conducting regular Pollution Response training (IMO OPRC Level I & II courses) for Coast Guard personnel from India's friendly nations. The establishment of the RMPRC represents a significant advancement in regional cooperation and capacity building for marine pollution response, underscoring India's commitment to protecting the oceans and coastal environments.

(With inputs from agencies)