Published: 14th Mar, 2022
Context
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.
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