The second phase of a joint oil spill-response exercise between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Sri Lankan Coast Guard (SLCG) commenced yesterday (29) in Galle, with two vessels which arrived in the island on 23 December concluding their training exercise with their counterparts in Colombo.

The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vaibhav, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, and ICGS Abhiraj, a Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), engaged with SLCG personnel in a tabletop exercise, and as its first phase commenced an oil spill-response demonstration onboard ICGS Vaibhav on 26 December, followed by a combined exercise conducted off the coast of Colombo last Friday (27) on contacting the oil spills. 

In addition to the Indian Coast Guard vessels, SLCG ships Suraksha, Samaraksha, and Samudraaraksha actively participated in a series of exercises, including advanced maritime maneuvers, oil containment and recovery operations, and firefighting drills utilising the Emergency Fire Fighting (EFF) system. These exercises provided an invaluable opportunity for SLCG personnel to enhance their professionalism and operational readiness. The collaborative drills strengthened the interoperability between the two Coast Guards and reinforced their commitment to ensuring maritime safety and security in the region, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard said.