Port Blair : Giving a fresh boost to the Islands’ coastal security apparatus, Lieutenant Governor Admiral D.K. Joshi on Wednesday inducted 10 newly procured Rubberized Inflatable Boats (RIBs) into the Police Marine Force (PMF) of the Andaman & Nicobar Police at a ceremony held at Lok Niwas.
The new boats are expected to sharpen the Police Marine Force’s ability to patrol vulnerable coastal stretches, respond swiftly to maritime emergencies and undertake operations in the shallow and difficult waters surrounding the Islands.
The induction assumes significance as the existing fleet, procured under Coastal Security Scheme (CSS)–Phase II, has been in prolonged service at Coastal Police Stations and remote Look Out Posts.
Continuous exposure to harsh marine conditions has accelerated ageing of the boats, making phased replacement essential to maintain operational readiness.
The newly inducted fleet will strengthen the PMF’s capabilities in coastal surveillance and patrolling, search and rescue, anti-poaching operations, boarding and checking of suspicious vessels, shallow-water operations and rapid maritime response.
The boats will also improve logistical connectivity with remote and strategically important locations, including Narcondum and Tillaung Chaung, besides other isolated Look Out Posts, by enabling the movement of police personnel, equipment and essential supplies.
The Police Marine Force plays a critical role in the Islands’ maritime security architecture, undertaking coastal surveillance and patrolling while also responding to search-and-rescue missions, emergencies and other operational requirements across the vast island territory.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary In-Charge Chanchal Yadav and Director General of Police Ravindra Singh Yadav among other senior officers of the Administration and Police.
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With the induction of the 10 boats, the A&N Police is seeking to reinforce the PMF’s frontline presence at sea and ensure faster, more effective response to threats and emergencies across the Islands’ extensive maritime domain.
