High Seas Rescue by Indian Coast Guard: UPSC Notes & Analysis
📅 Date: July 11, 2025
📍 Location: Southeast of Indira Point, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
🚢 Vessel: Sea Angel (U.S.-flagged, 16x8 metre sailing yacht)
👨✈️ Rescued by: Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajveer
🔍 What Happened?
On July 10, 2025, a distress alert was received from the U.S.-flagged sailing yacht Sea Angel, which was stranded due to a blown sail and entangled propeller about 52 nautical miles southeast of Indira Point in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Port Blair, immediately responded by:
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Activating the International Safety Net (ISN) to inform nearby ships
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Deploying ICG Ship Rajveer for rescue
Despite heavy seas and strong winds, the vessel was safely towed and brought to Campbell Bay by the next morning.
🧭 Importance for UPSC Aspirants
This incident can be important for the Prelims, Mains (GS Paper II & III), and Interview (Personality Test). Here's how:
✳️ UPSC-Relevant Key Points
1. Geographical Significance
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Indira Point: Southernmost tip of India (Great Nicobar Island)
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Campbell Bay: Major port in the Nicobar region
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Strategic Location: Near the Strait of Malacca, a critical global trade route
📌 Prelims Tip: Questions have been asked on Indira Point and other extremities of India.
2. Disaster Management (GS Paper III)
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Indian Coast Guard’s role in maritime safety and rescue
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Importance of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs)
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Use of International Safety Net (ISN) system
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Protocols for responding to distress signals at sea
Past Mains Q (2017, GS-3): “Discuss the challenges in disaster management in coastal regions.”
3. Security & Strategic Importance
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ICG’s capability in maritime surveillance and humanitarian operations
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Enhances India’s image in the Indo-Pacific as a responsible maritime actor
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Strategic presence in Andaman & Nicobar Command, India’s only tri-service command
🎯 Interview Angle: “How does India’s geography influence its maritime strategy?”
4. India–US Relations (GS Paper II)
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Rescue of a U.S. vessel reflects strong bilateral maritime cooperation
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India’s commitment to international maritime safety responsibilities
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Enhancing India's soft power and global goodwill
🗣️ Possible Interview Question: “How do such rescues help in India's diplomatic outreach?”
🧠 Takeaways for UPSC
| Theme | Key Learning |
|---|---|
| Geography | Indira Point, Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
| Disaster Management | MRCC, ISN, role of ICG |
| Maritime Security | India's coastal security mechanisms |
| India’s Strategic Role | Importance of the Indo-Pacific, Campbell Bay, Tri-service command |
| International Relations | India-U.S. cooperation, Maritime diplomacy |
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Sea Angel: U.S. vessel rescued by Indian Coast Guard near Indira Point
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MRCC Port Blair: First to receive distress call
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ICG Rajveer: Ship deployed for rescue
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Outcome: Crew safe, yacht towed to Campbell Bay
✅ UPSC Smart Tip:
Make a list of strategic maritime incidents under India’s coastal security initiatives. Questions often revolve around India's response to emergencies, regional cooperation, and maritime geopolitics.
Solve the Objective Question based on above topic and self asses yourself.
1. Consider the following pairs:
ReplyDeleteMaritime Rescue Centre Location
1. MRCC Mumbai Western Coast
2. MRCC Chennai Eastern Coast
3. MRCC Port Blair Andaman & Nicobar
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 ✅
(d) 1 only
✅ Answer: (c)
All three MRCCs are correctly located across India's maritime zones.
🌐 2. The International Safety Net (ISN), recently seen in news, is associated with:
ReplyDelete(a) Sharing meteorological data between coastal states
(b) Coordinating maritime safety information between ships
(c) Alerting nearby merchant vessels during a maritime emergency ✅
(d) Monitoring illegal fishing activities
✅ Answer: (c)
ISN helps alert vessels in the vicinity of an emergency situation at sea.
🌊 3. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Indira Point?
ReplyDeleteIt is the southernmost point of India.
It lies on the Little Nicobar Island.
It is located near the Great Channel/6° Channel.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only ✅
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (b)
Indira Point lies on Great Nicobar Island, not Little Nicoba
4. Which agency is primarily responsible for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in Indian waters?
ReplyDelete(a) Indian Navy
(b) Indian Coast Guard ✅
(c) Directorate General of Shipping
(d) Ministry of Home Affairs
✅ Answer: (b)
The Indian Coast Guard is the nodal agency for maritime SAR in India.
MRCC Port Blair is under the administrative control of which organisation?
ReplyDelete(a) Indian Navy
(b) Ministry of External Affairs
(c) Indian Coast Guard ✅
(d) Geological Survey of India
✅ Answer: (c)
MRCCs are part of the Indian Coast Guard.
6. Which of the following ports is located on the Nicobar Islands?
ReplyDelete(a) Campbell Bay ✅
(b) Port Blair
(c) Diglipur
(d) Car Nicobar
✅ Answer: (a)
Campbell Bay is the southernmost port in Nicobar and was used in this rescue.
7. The Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Rajveer’, recently in news, is classified under which of the following?
ReplyDelete(a) Fast Attack Craft
(b) Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel ✅
(c) Interceptor Boat
(d) Landing Craft Utility
✅ Answer: (b)
ICGS Rajveer is an AOPV (Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel).
8. Strait of Malacca, near Andaman and Nicobar Islands, connects which two water bodies?
ReplyDelete(a) Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
(b) Bay of Bengal and South China Sea ✅
(c) Arabian Sea and Pacific Ocean
(d) Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean
✅ Answer: (b)
The Strait of Malacca connects the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea.
9. Consider the following:
ReplyDeleteInternational Safety Net
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
Automatic Identification System (AIS)
Which of the above are used for maritime safety and rescue?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 ✅
(d) 1 and 3 only
✅ Answer: (c)
All three are technologies/systems used in maritime safety.
10. Arrange the following in order from north to south:
ReplyDeletePort Blair
Campbell Bay
Indira Point
(a) 1-2-3 ✅
(b) 1-3-2
(c) 2-1-3
(d) 3-2-1
✅ Answer: (a)
Port Blair (North), Campbell Bay (South), Indira Point (Southernmost)