Gujarat: Coast Guard begins joint patrol with Marine Police to boost coastal security

Now, the Gujarat Marine Police will be sea trained by the ICG personnel onboard ICG ships to equip them better for investigation related to violations of the State Fisheries Act. (Photo: AP/Representational image)

In a first, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) started Joint Coastal Patrol (JCP) with Gujarat Marine Police from August 15, allowing police personnel onboard ICG ships for enhanced coastal security.

The move comes after the Gujarat government introduced an ordinance in the Fisheries Act 2003 allowing the state marine police officers from the rank of sub-inspector to search and seize any vessel/boat/craft/pilot vessel involved in fishing within the sea territory of Gujarat.

Now, the Gujarat Marine Police will be sea trained by the ICG personnel onboard ICG ships to equip them better for investigation related to violations of the State Fisheries Act.

“The ICG has commenced Joint Coastal Patrol along with Marine Police personnel onboard ICG ships… for enhanced coastal security. The JCP is being instituted to enable implementation of Coastal Security Scheme (CSS) through capacity building of Marine Police in the overall Coastal Security Construct. JCP would also help address the issues of communication,…