Indian Coast Guard conducts Pollution Response Exercise off Odisha
The Indian Coast Guard conducted a regional-level Pollution Response Exercise, validating and demonstrating the preparedness of various stakeholders in dealing with oil and chemical spills at sea. The Exercise was held between Tuesday (Nov 12) and Thursday (Nov 14) at Paradip, Odisha.
The participating agencies were Paradip Port Authority, Dhamra Port, Gopalpur Port, BPCL, HPCL, IOCL and Odisha State Pollution Control Board.
The three-day exercise included professional presentations, discussions and mock drills onboard ICG Ships at sea, off Paradip. This elaborate scenario-based exercise provided valuable insights and an effective response strategy for addressing oil spills along the sensitive coasts.
During Pollution Response Exercises, the Coast Guard and relevant stakeholders simulate an oil spill at sea and deploy air and sea assets to contain the spill within a limited area. Subsequently, they disperse chemicals to counter and disperse the simulated oil slicks and their impact on the marine environment. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard also undertakes efforts to rescue any mariners involved in the simulated accident.
ICG takes the lead role in Pollution Response pan-India and conducts training and real-time scenario-based exercises for all stakeholders, as part of its commitment to safeguarding the marine environment and ensuring the welfare of coastal communities.
