K Natarajan appointed new Coast Guard DG

K Natarajan has been appointed as new Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He will be succeeding Rajendra Singh, who retires on 30 June 2019.

About K. Natarajan

Natarajan is 1984-batch officer. The flag officer has held various important command and staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. He also served as the Commanding Officer, ICGS Mandapam.

Current Post: He is currently serving as Additional Director General (ADG) of ICG’s Western Sea Board, which looks after security of sensitive maritime boundary from Gujarat to Kerala.

Key Post: His key staff assignments at ICG headquarters include- Chairman, Coast Guard Service Selection Board (SSB), Principal Director (Policy and Plans), Principal Director (Projects), Joint Director (Operations), Coast Guard Advisor (CGA) to Director General, ICG, Chief Staff Officer (Personnel & Administration) at Headquarters Region (East), Chennai, Chief of Staff at Headquarters Region (West), Mumbai, Officer-in-Charge and Coast Guard Training Centre, Kochi.

He has commanded all classes of ICG ships-

• Sangram: Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV)
• Veera: Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV)
• Kanaklata Barua: Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV)
• Chandbibi: Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV).

About Indian Coast Guard

It is India’s statutory multi-mission paramilitary organization that is responsible for safeguarding country’s’ maritime interests and enforces maritime law.

It was established on 18 August 1978 by Coast Guard Act, 1978. It functions under the aegis of Union Ministry of Defence.

It has jurisdiction over India’s territorial waters, including its contiguous zone and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

It is country’s one of the youngest Armed Force and has 142 ships & 62 aircraft in total.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2019