Indian Coast Guard Conducts SAREX-2026 Off Odisha Coast
Indian Coast Guard conducts SAREX-2026 off Odisha to test maritime rescue readiness and international cooperation using advanced technology.
In a massive show of maritime strength and coordination, the Indian Coast Guard successfully executed the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, known as SAREX-2026, off the coast of Paradip, Odisha. Conducted under the guidance of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB), the high-stakes drill aimed to test India's ability to respond to large-scale emergencies at sea.
Strengthening Maritime Safety Through Technology
The theme for this year's exercise was “Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety.” The mission was to demonstrate how modern technology can bridge the gap between different agencies during a crisis, ensuring a seamless and rapid response to mass rescue operations.
The exercise was reviewed by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, and saw participation from a vast array of specialized agencies. These included:
- Indian Navy and Indian Air Force
- Shipping Corporation of India
- Directorate General of Shipping
- Fisheries and Customs departments
- Marine Police and Paradip Port Authority
- Odisha State Administration
A Global Stage for Maritime Cooperation
SAREX-2026 was not just a domestic drill; it served as a significant platform for international maritime diplomacy. A total of 32 observers from 30 different countries participated in the event. This global presence allowed for the exchange of international best practices and reinforced India's reputation as a dependable and capable maritime Search and Rescue partner in the region.
Simulating a Mass Rescue Crisis
To test the limits of the responders, the sea drill simulated a complex, high-pressure scenario involving a concurrent aeronautical and maritime emergency. The simulation involved a passenger aircraft carrying 228 people ditching at sea near Paradip Port. The aircraft's fuselage reportedly struck the container vessel MV Zumba, causing structural damage and a fire.
The massive scale of the simulated disaster required the activation of an Incident Command Post and the deployment of various specialized rescue techniques, including:
- Firefighting operations and helicopter evacuations
- Deployment of life rafts and air-droppable life rafts
- Jason Cradle and Gemini recovery methods
- Rescue basket operations and scramble net procedures
- Demonstration of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) capabilities
Massive Deployment of Assets
The scale of the operation was underscored by the sheer number of assets deployed on the water and in the air. The exercise utilized:
- 15 Coast Guard ships
- 2 Indian Navy ships
- 3 Dornier aircraft
- 3 Advanced Light Helicopters
- 1 Chetak helicopter
- IAF C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft
- Various civil and state-based support units
By successfully executing SAREX-2026, India has reaffirmed its commitment to the vision of SAGAR and the spirit of Mahasagar, striving toward a faster, technology-enabled, and seamlessly coordinated Search and Rescue framework to ensure that every distress call at sea receives a coordinated response.