NATIONAL MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE (NMSAR) BOARD MEETING

The National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting is the highest decision-making and coordinating forum in India for all matters related to maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Established by the Government of India in 2002 and chaired by the Director General, Indian Coast Guard, the NMSAR Board serves as a vital mechanism for fostering inter-agency synergy, policy formulation and capability enhancement across the entire Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), one of the largest SAR regions in the world, covering approximately 4.6 million square kilometres of the Indian Ocean.

The Board is represented by senior officials from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Directorate General of Shipping, Airports Authority of India, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), State Maritime Boards, Port Authorities, and other Central and State Government departments, as well as representatives from the merchant marine, fishing, and offshore sectors. It acts as a unifying platform for integrating maritime and aeronautical SAR efforts to ensure a coordinated and efficient national response to distress situations at sea.

The NMSAR Board Meeting is convened annually to review SAR policies, evaluate operational effectiveness, share best practices and identify new areas for technological and procedural improvement. Key agenda items typically include evaluation of past SAR operations, strengthening of communication networks, review of distress alert systems, capacity-building initiatives, integration of coastal & offshore stakeholders and fostering regional cooperation with neighbouring Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs). The ongoing meeting is the 23rd edition of National Maritime Search And Rescue Board meeting.

The forum also provides a platform for inter-ministerial dialogue and encourages collaborative participation of State Governments, recognising their crucial role in coastal rescue, safety awareness and fisherfolk outreach. Training, public awareness campaigns and mock exercises are key focus areas aimed at enhancing the overall readiness of India’s SAR framework.

Aligned with the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), 1979, and the spirit of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the NMSAR Board underscores India’s enduring commitment to maritime safety, humanitarian responsibility, and regional cooperation. Guided by its noble motto, “We Save Lives,” the NMSAR Board continues to evolve as a robust, technology-enabled and multi-agency framework, ensuring that India remains ever ready to respond swiftly and effectively to any distress at sea.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is a vibrant, multi-missionarmed force, entrusted with thefundamental duty ofsafeguarding India's maritime interest. Functioning underthe Ministry of Defence, ICG plays a vital role in ensuringmaritime safety and security and preservation & protectionof marine environment. ICG with its amalgam ofprofessional workforce and state of art air and surfaceassets stands as a proud and indomitableguardian ofIndia's blue frontiers.