Port Blair, June 11: Inspector General Dinesh Rajaputhran, Tatrakshak Medal, took over the reigns of Indian Coast Guard Region (A&N) as the 24th CG Commander from Inspector General Maneesh Vishal Pathak, Tatrakshak Medalon11Jun 21.
The Flag Officeris1986 batch Coast Guard Officer, having vast experience of various Operational and Staff appointments. The Flag Officer is the first qualified ‘Air Cushion Vehicle’ (ACV) operator of the Indian Coast Guard trained at Griffon Hovercraft, Southampton, UK. The Flag officer has spearheaded the entire gamut of ACV operations including formulation of the ‘Standard Operating Procedures’ (SOPs), integration of ACVs in to ICG operational mosaic and documentation of necessary policy guidelines. The Flag Officer has undergone Maritime Law Enforcement and Port Operations Courses with United States Coast Guard.
The Flag Officer during his illustrious career spanning over three decades has commanded all classes of Coast Guard Ships, which include the command of Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel ICGS Samrat, Offshore Patrol Vessel ICGS Vijaya and Inshore Patrol Vessel Kittur Chennamma.
The Flag Officer’s notable shore appointments include Coast Guard Commander(Maharashtra), Chief of Staff at Headquarters Coast Guard Region (NW) at Gandhinagar, Principal Director (Ops), and Principal Director (Pers)and Deputy Director General (HRD) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.
Prior to assuming the present assignment as Commander Coast Guard Region (A&N), he was the Chief of Staff at Headquarters, Coast Guard Western Seaboard at Mumbai.
On assuming Command of Coast Guard Region A&N, the Flag Officer reiterated his priority to work with utmost synergy and comradeship with the A&N Command in close coordination with A&N Administration, Police, fisheries, forest and other government agencies for strengthening Coastal Security mechanism with impetus on safety of fishermen at sea and in fight against COVID-19 as well. The Flag Officer also emphasized towards augmentation of assets and strengthening of CG operational capabilities for enhancing Safety and Security of Islands.