Vietnam, India Coast Guards hold first rescue drill

Vietnamese and Indian Coast Guards held their first search and rescue drill off the coast of southern Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, Vietnam News Agency reported Monday.

The drill took place on Sunday during the Indian SaRang 44 Samar-class offshore patrol vessel's visit to Vietnam.

The hypothetical scenario presented the 450-tonnage transport ship M1 of Vietnam's Z Transport Company with 17 crew members in flames with some sailors in the sea, approximately 10 nautical miles from Vung Tau's shore.

After receiving the alert, Vietnam coast guard vessel 8001 was deployed to the scene to implement search and rescue measures, approach and attempt to douse flames and save those sailors at sea.

At the same time, the SaRang 44 coast guard vessel, which was sailing past the area, participated in the joint search and rescue coordination after receiving the distress signal.

At the end of the drill, SaRang 44 Brigadier General Naresh Kumar Kaul said Vietnam's coast guard was a seasoned force and fully capable of undertaking all search and rescue tasks at sea.

Vietnamese and Indian coast guards face similar maritime issues, such as pirates, rescues at sea and environmental protection, he said.

Source: XINHUA