The Indian Coast Guard is the fourth service created to guard Republic of India's vast coastline. It was created on 18 August 1978 as an independent entity as per the Coast Guard Act. The Indian Coast Guard is an armed force of India and is not a part of the Paramilitary forces of India.
The coast guard works closely with the Indian navy and the Indian Customs Department, and is usually headed by a naval officer of the rank of Vice-Admiral. India's coast guard has a large number of fast craft including hovercrafts and hydrofoils. They patrol the seas and river mouths.The coast guard has performed a number of commendable tasks of rescuing distressed personnel. It has also apprehended pirates on high seas and cleaned up oil spills. Heavy patrolling of sensitive areas such as Gujarat, West Bengal and Mumbai have resulted in catching a large number of smugglers and illegal immigrants.
With the motto Vayam Rakshaamah - "We Protect" in Sanskrit. (It is seen in Devanagari script on the coat of arms).The Coast Guard is responsible for the policing of over 2.01 million square kilometres of ocean. The area under its control includes nearly 1,200 islands and a coastline of 7517 kilometres
In 1974, the Government of India set out to create an autonomous coast guard to protect the nation's long coast line. This coast guard was modelled on the lines of the British (HMCG) and American (USCG) coast guards. Like many coast guards around the world, the Indian Coast Guard has borrowed the white paint scheme and "racing stripe" from the U.S. service. The dress uniforms are similar to those of their counterparts from the Indian Navy.
An interim Indian Coast Guard was set up on February 1, 1977 equipped with modern weaponry and quick sea craft with the help of the Indian Navy. The duties and functions of the service were formally defined in the Coast Guard Act, which was passed on 18 August 1978, and came into effect the next day.
The Indian Coast Guard conducts exercises with the other coast guards of the world. In 2006, the Indian Coast Guard conducted exercises with Japanese and Korean counterparts. In May 2005, the Indian Coast Guard agreed to set up liaison links with Pakistan Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard began with two old frigates handed to it by the Navy and five small patrol vessels. It has since grown to a sizeable fleet of 75 ships and watercraft and 44 aircraft and helicopters. The coast guard relies on a variety of seafaring vessels equipped with modern detection facilities. They include patrol boats of various speeds and capabilities, defence boats, air cushion vehicles and interceptor craft. The air arm of the coast guard boasts has Dornier Do 228 airplanes and Chetak and Dhruv helicopters. The Indian Coast Guard has plans to induct 2 Advanced offshore patrol vessels, 3 Offshore patrol vessels, 3 Patrol crafts, 11 Interceptor boats, 21 patrol vessels, 4 Fast patrol vessels, aircraft and helicoptes into service
