India’s largest maritime search and rescue drill has begun. The Indian Coast Guard inaugurated SAREX-2026 on October 7. The exercise runs off the Paradip coast in Odisha.

Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth inaugurated the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise. A live rescue demonstration is planned off Paradip on October 8.

The scale is large. Fifteen Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters and a Chetak helicopter are taking part. The Indian Air Force is sending a C-130J and a Mi-17. The Navy is sending two ships. Civil and state agencies join too.

The drill will test a Mass Rescue Operation. A passenger aircraft with 228 people on board is simulated ditching at sea. A container vessel, MV Zumba, is also caught in the same emergency.

Thirty-two observers from 30 countries are watching. Their presence shows the value of shared rescue rules at sea. The Coast Guard is also holding the 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue Board meeting in Bhubaneswar. It is chaired by Director General Paramesh Sivamani.

The meeting will discuss faster distress alerts and better coordination between agencies.