Navy conducts Offshore Security Exercise, 'Prasthan'

Navy conducts Offshore Security Exercise, 'Prasthan'

A 2-day offshore security exercise, code named 'Exercise Prasthan', conducted by the Eastern Naval Command on offshore rigs in the KG Basin and Ravva area located in the Krishna Godavari Basin, 25 nm South West of Kakinada, concluded on 02 November 2016. Mock drills to exercise various contingencies such as asymmetric threat (terrorist action), oil spill, casualty evacuation and fire were conducted.

The exercise was aimed to evaluate surveillance capabilities of offshore rigs against unaltered intruders approaching by boat/ swimming and to evaluate capabilities of security agencies in patrolling to prevent intruders from accessing offshore rigs. The exercise also prepared all agencies in handling a crisis situation developing in the Offshore Development Area.

Besides Naval Officer-in-Charge, Andhra Pradesh, the overall coordinator of the Exercise, the other major stakeholders included Indian Coast Guard, ONGC, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC), Reliance Industries and Cairn Energy. In addition, Indian Naval Ships Kora, Tarmugli, Astradharini, four Immediate Support Vessels, one Indian Coast Guard IPV/IB, one UH3H helicopter and marine commandos also participated in the exercise.