MUMBAI: The Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command (WNC) is set to conduct ‘Sea Vigil-24’, a major coastal security preparedness exercise, on November 20 and 21. This initiative is designed to bolster the defense of critical coastal assets, including ports, oil rigs, single-point moorings, cable landing points, and other essential coastal infrastructure.
Commodore M Mahesh from WNC outlined the scope and objectives of the exercise, emphasizing its role in assessing coastal security readiness. He noted that the operation will involve coordination among six ministries as well as 21 organizations and agencies. The extensive exercise is scheduled to take place concurrently across multiple states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, and the Union Territory of Daman & Diu.
The operation is structured into two distinct phases. Phase 1 will involve independent teams from various security agencies visiting coastal facilities to evaluate their security organization and infrastructure. This preliminary assessment will span a week leading up to the main exercise.
Following this initial phase, Phase 2 will focus on tactical operations conducted simultaneously across all locations involved in the exercise. This phase aims to assess the preparedness of security agencies and facilitate their collaborative response capabilities to potential threats from the sea.
The comprehensive assessment aims to cover approximately 2,700 kilometers of coastline and 9,000 square kilometers of offshore oil fields, all under the jurisdiction of the WNC. During this intensive 36-hour effort, all participating agencies will engage in a thorough evaluation of their readiness and response strategies.
Upon completion of ‘Sea Vigil-24’, a detailed analysis will take place among all participating agencies to identify any gaps in the current coastal defense framework. The insights gained will be crucial in determining necessary improvements to enhance the nation’s overall capacity to defend its coastal areas from potential maritime threats.
