The event was inaugurated by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and reviewed by Indian Coast Guard Director General S Paramesh. Addressing the media, Paramesh emphasised the need for broader participation in Coast Guard initiatives and assured that all coastal states would get opportunities to host SAREX

The event`s highlight was a sea exercise simulating a passenger aircraft crash emergency. In this scenario, an aircraft carrying 250 passengers suffered a major technical failure, lost communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC), and disappeared from radar approximately 150 nautical miles northwest of Kochi

This exercise tested and demonstrated the preparedness and response capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard and other participating agencies, Coast Guard officials said

A coordinated Mass Rescue Operation (MRO) was swiftly initiated, showcasing the seamless deployment of resources, including ships and aircraft from the Indian Coast Guard, the Indian Air Force (IAF), tugs from Cochin Port Trust, and a water ambulance, Prathyasa, provided by the Kerala State Fisheries Department

SAREX-2024, themed "Enhancing Search and Rescue Capabilities Through Regional Collaboration," underscored the importance of international cooperation in maritime safety

The event saw the participation of National Maritime Search and Rescue Board members and 38 foreign observers representing Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs)