Indian, Korean coast guards hold joint exercise off Chennai coast

Korean Coast Guard ship 'BADARO' took part in Indo-Korean joint anti-piracy, search and rescue exercise 'SAHYOG-HYEOBLYEOG 2018' off the Chennai coast on Thursday.

Along with the Korean ship, Indian Coast Guard ships and an aircraft took part in the exercise.

As part of the exercise, ships of the Indian Coast Guard and the Korean vessel undertook tactical manoeuvres and "drills" to counter piracy and carry out maritime law enforcement tasks off Chennai coast, an official release said.

It said, the exercise demonstrated a scenario in which RECAAP -- a focal point in Korea -- reported loss of communication with cargo vessel South Korean flag -- MV Hyun Tau and it was indicated that the vessel has been hijacked by pirates.

Subsequently, Korean Coast Guard ship 'Badaro' in Bay of Bengal were alerted.

Indian Coast Guard deployed a Dornier aircraft to carry out sea-air coordinated search along with ICG Shaurya, Rani Abbakka, C-423, C-431, the release said.

Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rajendra Singh and Commissioner of Korean Coast Guard General Park Kyung reviewed the exercise.

"With the conduct of the exercise, Coast Guard has reaffirmed its dependability for maritime security," the release said.