Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launched auxiliary barge Urja Prabha.
About
About Urja Prabha:
Urja Prabha is launched at Shoft Shipyard, Bharuch, Gujarat.
Urja Prabha is 36.96 metres long with a draft of 1.85 metres.
It is designed to cargo ship fuel, aviation fuel and fresh water with a capacity of 50 ton, 10 ton and 40 ton respectively.
It will enhance the Indian Coast Guard operations by extending logistics support to Indian Coast Guard ships deployed in the sea at far-flung areas.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG):
The 'Nag Committee' was setup in 1970, to examine the growing menace of smuggling. The committee recommended the need for a separate marine force to deal with smuggling activities.
In 1972, the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) awarded Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) to all coastal states.
Thereafter, the Union of India, enacted the Maritime Zones of India Act 1976, to claim sovereign rights over the vast sea area of the Exclusive Economic Zone.
In one stroke, India acquired 2.01 million sq kms of ocean for extensive exploitation of all living and non-living resources, and this vast area clearly needed to be policed.
Later ICG, was established in 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978. It performs non-military functions.
It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
Headquarter of the Indian Coast Guard is in New Delhi.
It has jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India including contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
Mission:
To protect our ocean and offshore wealth including oil, fish and minerals.
To assist mariners in distress and safeguard life and property at sea.
To enforce maritime laws with respect to sea, poaching, smuggling and narcotics.
To preserve marine environment and ecology and protect rare species.
To collect scientific data and back-up the navy during war.