Bangladesh Coast Guard seeks training assistance

Kolkata: The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has sought assistance from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) for training its force about the operation and maintenance of hovercrafts during the regional commanders-level meeting which got underway between the two forces at ICG Northeast regional headquarters in New Town on Monday. The BCG does not have any hovercraft which is used for amphibious operation.

ICG (NE) spokesperson Avinandan Mitra said, “The BCG delegation will visit ICG Hovercraft port on August 29. They will witness the hovercraft operation. They have intimated that they are planning to procure hovercrafts and requested assistance from the ICG for training about operation and maintenance their hovercrafts.” The ICG has been providing training to BCG officers and sailors on various fields since 2014.

From this year, courses are held twice a year for the BCG officers and sailors following their request, Mr Mitra added. The BCG delegation, led by Captain Mohammed Ali Chowdhury, the West Zonal commander, met Inspector General Kuldip Singh Sheoran, ICG NE regional commander, and his staff. The regional commanders-level meeting will conclude on August 30.

Various common maritime issues — sensitisation of fishermen on cross border fishing, bilateral table top exercise, real time information sharing, capacity building of BCG through training and exercise —  were discussed at a staff-level meeting.

Mr Mitra said, “Both sides have expressed their desire to cooperate with each other in order to jointly tackle the maritime challenges across the mutually shared international maritime boundary line. The BCG delegation was given a balanced understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the ICG NE region in general and search and rescue of fishermen at sea in particular.”