Security drill at SPM in Cochin Port

A mock security drill was carried out at the Single Point Mooring (SPM) of BPCL Kochi Refinery in the Cochin Port area to check the security preparedness and alertness at Cochin Port.

The drill was performed jointly by Cochin Port Trust, BPCL-Kochi Refinery and Coast Guard. The procedure of the drill was as follows. On receiving information that one suspicious boat was intruding into the security zone of the SPM facility located about 20 kms off Cochin Port, a team of Officers from the Marine Department of Cochin Port and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Cochin Port Unit set out to the SPM in the Tug Ocean Symphony at 8 AM. Meanwhile the Maintenance Vessel manned by the staff and security personnel of Kochi Refinery, positioned at SPM had chased the intrusion boat away from the security zone. Later another boat was found to be intruding into the security zone and since that boat refused to move away from the area irrespective of the efforts made by the Maintenance Vessel and the security personnel who reached there in the Tug. Then the Coast Guard station was informed about the situation and the Coast Guard swung into action immediately by sending one Helicopter and a ship to the SPM. On reaching the location, the Coast Guard helicopter took measures to keep the boat away from the SPM installations. The Coast Guard vessel reached the location and Commandos from the vessel apprehended the boat and the crew immediately. The drill was successfully completed by 1 PM.
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