The Indian and United States Coast Guards held a joint exercise, Abhyas, off the Chennai coast.
The exercise focussed on acquainting the Coast Guards with each other’s capabilities and strengthening their working level relationship towards enhancing inter-operability in the field of maritime search and rescue, boarding operations, and other maritime law enforcement duties.
The highlights of the exercise encompassed various fleet maneuvers, the scenario of the hijacking of a vessel, and the subsequent rescue of its crew in a coordinated anti-piracy joint operation of both countries. Interdiction of the pirated vessels, coordinated joint boarding operation, SAR demonstration, and external fire-fighting to salvage burning ships were the other highlights of the exercise.