Sea Vigil is a National Level Coastal Defence Exercise conceptualized in 2018 to validate and enhance coastal security measures implemented since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

When will Sea Vigil-24 take place?

Sea Vigil-24 is scheduled to be conducted on 20th and 21st November 2024.

What is the main objective of Sea Vigil?

The main objective of Sea Vigil is to activate and assess India’s comprehensive coastal security apparatus and ensure the readiness of all maritime stakeholders.

How often is the Sea Vigil exercise conducted?

Sea Vigil is conducted biennially, serving as a precursor to the Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX).

Which organizations are participating in Sea Vigil-24?

Sea Vigil-24 will involve six Ministries and 21 organizations/agencies, including the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, State Marine Police, Customs, and Fisheries departments.

What geographical area does Sea Vigil cover?

The exercise encompasses the entire 11,098 km coastline of India and the vast Exclusive Economic Zone of 2.4 million square kilometers.

What is the CDSRE phase of Sea Vigil-24?

The Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase involves a thorough audit of coastal defence and security infrastructure, conducted by Naval Officer-in-Charges of all coastal states and UTs.

Who will be auditing coastal security in Sea Vigil-24?

Naval Officer-in-Charges of all coastal states and Union Territories will audit coastal security, along with the participation of the National Security Council Secretariat for the first time.

How is the involvement of other armed services increasing in Sea Vigil-24?

The Indian Army and Air Force are participating, and a large number of ships and aircraft will be deployed to enhance the exercise tempo.

How does Sea Vigil benefit coastal communities?

Sea Vigil raises maritime security awareness among coastal communities and involves them in safeguarding coastal areas, with active participation from fishing communities, NCC students, and Bharat Scouts and Guides.

What role does the fishing community play in Sea Vigil?

The fishing community plays a vital role in maritime security by participating in awareness initiatives and helping ensure coordinated coastal defence efforts.

How does Sea Vigil improve India’s coastal defence?

Sea Vigil assesses the preparedness of all maritime security agencies, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and enhances India’s overall coastal defence framework.

What is the role of the National Security Council Secretariat in Sea Vigil-24?

For the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat will join the CDSRE teams to audit and enhance coastal security measures.

What makes Sea Vigil unique compared to other coastal exercises?

Sea Vigil is unique because it is a national-level initiative that provides a holistic and comprehensive appraisal of India’s maritime security, unlike state-level coastal security exercises.

Who coordinates Sea Vigil?

The Indian Navy coordinates Sea Vigil, ensuring participation from multiple ministries, agencies, and maritime stakeholders across the nation.

What is the scale of Sea Vigil-24?

Sea Vigil-24 will span an unprecedented scale, involving six Ministries, 21 organizations, and covering the entire Indian coastline and EEZ.

How does Sea Vigil contribute to national security?

Sea Vigil contributes to national security by validating and enhancing the country’s coastal defence measures, ensuring the safety of critical coastal assets and infrastructure.

How are students involved in Sea Vigil-24?

Students from the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and Bharat Scouts and Guides will participate to promote awareness and add to the community engagement aspects of the exercise.

What is the importance of the Exclusive Economic Zone in Sea Vigil?

The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is crucial for maritime security, and Sea Vigil ensures the protection and monitoring of this vast area, covering 2.4 million square kilometers.

What measures have been taken post-26/11 to improve coastal security?

Post-26/11, various measures have been adopted to bolster coastal security, including the conceptualization of Sea Vigil to validate and enhance these efforts.

Why is Sea Vigil important for ports and oil rigs?

Ports and oil rigs are critical to the nation’s economy and infrastructure. Sea Vigil ensures these assets are well-secured and prepared against potential threats.

Does Sea Vigil engage the coastal population?

Yes, Sea Vigil actively engages the coastal population, emphasizing their role in maritime security and involving them in various awareness activities.

What type of agencies are involved in Sea Vigil?

Agencies involved include the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, State Marine Police, Customs, Fisheries, and other ministries and organizations relevant to coastal security.

INDIAN NAVY GEARS UP FOR THE FOURTH EDITION OF COASTAL DEFENCE EXERCISE ‘SEA VIGIL-24’

The Indian Navy will organize the fourth edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise, Sea Vigil-24, on November 20 and 21, 2024. This iteration of Sea Vigil will be conducted on an unmatched scale, covering extensive geographical areas and involving an impressive range of participants, including six ministries and 21 organizations/agencies. Starting from late October 2024, the Coastal Defence & Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) phase has been underway. Led by Naval Officer-in-Charges across all coastal states and Union Territories (including Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands), this phase involves a comprehensive review of the coastal defence and security framework. For the first time, officials from the National Security Council Secretariat will join the Indian Navy-led CDSRE teams, alongside members from the State Marine Police, Coast Guard, Customs, Fisheries, and more.

This year, the exercise will emphasize securing coastal assets such as ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points, and critical coastal infrastructure, while also involving the coastal population. Increased participation from other military branches, including the Indian Army and Air Force, along with the planned deployment of numerous ships and aircraft, will elevate the pace and intensity of the exercise.

Sea Vigil was first conceptualized in 2018 to assess and enhance coastal defence mechanisms, particularly in response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Covering the entire 11,098 km coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone spanning 2.4 million square kilometers, the exercise will engage all coastal security systems and maritime stakeholders, including the fishing community and local coastal residents. A key goal is to boost maritime security awareness among coastal communities, with active participation from fishing groups, coastal populations, and youth organizations like the NCC and Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Although coastal security exercises are frequently conducted by individual states and agencies, Sea Vigil stands out as a national-level initiative led by the Indian Navy, offering a comprehensive assessment of India’s maritime defence capabilities. This exercise is crucial for reviewing the readiness of all maritime security agencies, pinpointing strengths and areas for improvement, and fortifying India’s maritime defence structure. Sea Vigil-24 will also set the stage for the biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), reinforcing India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime borders and promoting collaboration among all coastal defence stakeholders.

Important points :

It is a National Level Coastal Defence Exercise conceptualized in 2018 to validate measures adopted for enhancing maritime security following the ‘26/11’ Mumbai terror attacks.
The concept of ‘Sea Vigil’ is to activate and assess India’s entire Coastal Security apparatus and overarching Coastal Defence mechanisms.
The fourth edition of Ex Sea Vigil will feature the involvement of 06 Ministries and 21 Organizations/agencies.
The exercise will focus on bolstering the security of coastal assets such as ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points, and critical coastal infrastructure, including the coastal population.
This year, participation from other Services like the Indian Army and Air Force, along with the planned deployment of numerous ships and aircraft, has increased the exercise’s tempo and intensity.
The comprehensive exercise will engage the full coastal security infrastructure and all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing community and coastal residents, in a coordinated manner.
A primary objective is to raise awareness about maritime security among coastal communities, with active participation from fishing groups, the coastal populace, and students from NCC and Bharat Scouts and Guides.
Exercise Sea Vigil, coordinated by the Indian Navy, is a unique national initiative providing a holistic evaluation of India’s maritime defence and security capabilities.
It acts as a precursor to the Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), conducted biennially by the Indian Navy.

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