Operation Sea Vigil

Context: Recently the third edition of the ‘pan-India’ coastal defence Exercise ‘Sea Vigil-22’ is conducted by the Indian Navy.

About Operation Sea Vigil:

• Sea Vigil is a national-level coastal defence exercise which was conceptualised in 2018 for enhancing maritime security since ‘26/11’ Mumbai terror attack.
• The exercise is being conducted by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and other ministries involved in maritime activities.
• The exercise will be undertaken along the entire 7516-km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
• The exercise involves all the Coastal States and Union territories along with other maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.
• Sea Vigil and TROPEX together will cover the entire spectrum Maritime Security challenges.
  • Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX) is an inter-service military exercise conducted every two years.

Additional Information:

• An Automatic Identification System (AIS) was made compulsory for all vessels above 20 metres after the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
• A project to install transponders on small fishing vessels, under 20 metres in length was planned and the pilot started in Tamil Nadu.
• The transponders with positioning navigation systems have been modified into a two-way communication system in this pilot.

Source: The Hindu