KARACHI:Pakistan Maritime Security Agency is organizing exercise Barracuda-IX. Sea Phase of exercise was held in North Arabian Sea near Karachi.Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi was present during sea phase of exercise.Director General Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Rear Admiral Zaka Ur Rehman SI(M), various heads and representatives of various government and civil organizations, foreign observers and media personnel attended the Sea Phase. Twenty foreign observers from Turkey, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Maldives and Sri Lanka also participated in Sea Phase.
Ships, Aircrafts and Helicopters from Pakistan Maritime Security and Pakistan Navy, KPT Tug, M/s BYCO Tug and PQA tug participated in Sea Phase.Director General PMSA Rear Admiral Zaka ur Rehman SI(M) briefed the media about the objectives of exercise.
He said that 20 foreign observers from 10 regional countries are participating in Exercise Barracuda.He added that inclusion of foreign observers is an essential step in coordinated response against oil spill as well as Search and Rescue requirements at a regional level as well.Gear was laid practically by participants Ships/ Boats of Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, BYCO Petroleum Pakistan and relevant stake holders.Various drills regarding oil spillage and Search and Rescue Operations at sea were rehearsed.
The units/Departments of PMSA alongwith Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Coast Guard and various Govt/ Civil organizations including Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Gwadar Port Authority, National Institute of Oceanography, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, SEPA, Pakistan Metrological Department, Bahria Foundation, China Power Hub Generation Company Ltd, Shell Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan Oil Refinery Ltd, National Oil Refinery Ltd, Oil Companies Advisory Committee, City Govt Karachi, BYCO Petroleum Pakistan Ltd, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Pakistan State Oil, Total Parco Marketing Ltd, KANUPP, CAA, Pakistan State Oil, NCMPR, SUPARCO etc are participants in the Exercise.