SLNS Samudura Participates in Coastguard Exercise Off Male

Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Samudura took part in the coastguard exercise “DOSTI – XII” held in the seas off Male from October 28th to 31st 2014.

The 4-day exercise was conducted jointly by Indian, Sri Lankan and Maldivian Coast Guards with the aim of strengthening bonds of friendship and enhancing mutual operational capability and cooperation. The twelfth edition of the tri-lateral coastguard exercise this year focused on Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Marine Pollution Response (POLRES) and anti-piracy operations.

The mutually beneficial exercise highlighted the importance of launching coordinated efforts to ensure the safety and security of sea-farers. Participants were able to gain valuable insights into achieving inter-operability which is vital for tackling piracy and related maritime security concerns in the geo-strategically important Indian Ocean.

Representing the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Coast Guard Ships “Samar” and “Rajdoot” along with a Dornier aircraft took part while Maldivian Coast Guard Ships “Huravee” and “Shaheed Ali” of the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) represented the Maldivian Coast Guard. The Sri Lanka Coast Guard was represented by SLNS Samudura under the command of Captain YMB Jayathilake of the Sri Lanka Navy. The Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Sirimewan Ranasinghe also participated in the exercise.

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Press release, Image: Sri Lanka Navy