Maritime Search and Rescue

 

Bangladesh is a disaster prone country. Sea borne natural disasters in the form of cyclone and tidal surge are common natural phenomenon to Bangladesh. Devastating tropical cyclones hit the coastal areas and off shore island very frequently causing enormous loss of lives and property. During these natural disaster and calamities period conducting SAR operations is one of the major benign task of Bangladesh Navy. BN has the capability to reach the destitute soon after the disaster for conducting rescue operation and provide all kinds of assistance and relief.

 

BN is carrying out the functions of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) since 2001 under the authority of Govt. notification from Ministry of Shipping. Presently BN MRCC is globally recognized for her SAR effort in Maritime Search and Rescue Region of Bangladesh. Till date BN has promptly responded to 132 International Distress Call which has been deeply appreciated by International Maritime Organization (IMO) Audit Team during their inspection in Bangladesh in 2018.

 

In 2017 during cyclone “MORA” BN carried out extensive search and rescue operation at sea and could rescue 87 personnel alive including 4 dead bodies. BN also distributed 15 tons of rice and other relief materials including medicines amongst cyclone affect people in coastal areas. BN has also vivid experience of working together in multinational setting while rendering High Availability Disaster Recovery (HADR) support. A statistics of such HADR  support is given below.

 

 

Ser

Ship

HADR Support

provided country

Year

Items

1.

BNS TURAG

Sri Lanka

2005

Various Relief goods and free medical campaign

2.

BNS SANGU

Maldives

2005

Various Relief goods and free medical campaign

3.

BNS SOMUDRA JOY

Philippines

2013

Various Relief goods

4.

BNS SOMUDRA JOY

Maldives

2014

100 tons bottled fresh water and 5 in no Desalination plant

5.

BNS BANGABANDHU

Sri Lanka

2016

Water purifier, Sharee, Lungi, Baby garments, Baby foods, T-shirt, Sanitary napkin, Water, Rain coat, Tent, Charger

lights, Moquito nets, medicine, Generator and Rice

 

4.       BN diving teams actively participated in Rescue and Salvage Operation both at sea and inland water throughout the year in response to any national crisis. In 2017-2018 Bangladesh Navy diving teams rescued 103 survivors and 68 dead bodies from Bay of Bengal and inland waters in different occasions.