A Ceremony in commemoration of Third Anniversary of the Myanmar Coast Guard (MCG) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in conjunction with a Ceremony to Commission four 48-metre fast patrol vessels into Service aiming to safeguard maritime interests and Myanmar coastal areas took place at No.3 Naval Jetty (Thilawa) on 6 October. Present at the ceremony were Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Union-level dignitaries, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Yangon Command commander, Director-General of the Coast Guard Rear-Admiral Ko Ko Kyaw, commanders of the naval command headquarters, officers and other ranks of Myanmar Navy and Coast Guard HQs.
First, Director-General of the MCG Rear-Admiral Ko Ko Kyaw reported on facts about the commissioned vessels. Next, the SAC Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services accepted a scale model of the vessel in commemoration of the commissioning ceremony of vessels presented by SAC member Union Minister for Defence Admiral Tin Aung San.
Afterward, the SAC Chairman Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services delivered honourable remarks as follows:
- It is an auspicious day on which four new 48-metre fast patrol vessels are commissioned into service as the reinforcements for Myanmar Coast Guard and a new force is added to the Tatmadaw and the Coast Guard.
- MCG members are key actors to primarily take protection of maritime natural environment and resources as well as a maritime organization that solves solve the problems of oil leakage and water pollution at the sea.
- The strength of MCG can be expanded annually for serving such a large array of duties. Moreover, the work establishment of the MCE is required to extend with many vessels, materials and manpower for Myanmar to be able to protect 143,110.72 square nautical miles of water territory with some 1,300 nautical miles of coastal area and 1,400 islands.
- The MCG has to extend relations with international organizations as well as inspect local and foreign freight vessels. So, it’s members should have comprehensive knowledge about the maritime laws, international laws, IMO regulations, and conventions and treaties agreed by Myanmar and should apply effectively them for national interest. It must serve its duties in accord with the said laws.
- In relationship with international maritime organizations, the MCG should effectively exercise White Hull Diplomacy.
- The White Hull Diplomacy is that the Coast Guard which uses white vessels must extend peaceful relations through diplomatic means, provide humanitarian aid, and collectively launch maritime security operations.
- The members of the Coast Guard have to serve their duties as civilian oriented troop to protect civilians by carrying out non-military maritime search and rescue measures, conservation of maritime natural environment and combatting pirates.
- As Coast Guard is a civilian oriented troop that helps the people, it must help and save mariners, assist the functions of civilian port authorities, organizations, agencies.
- In doing so, it must closely deal with civilians and ensure the rule of law and safety of public lives. So, it should be an organization skilled in public relations.
- The Coast Guard members have to cooperate with internal maritime organizations to conscientiously serve assigned duties in relations with international maritime organizations while protecting maritime interests and resources. In accord with the motto of the Myanmar Coast Guard “Protect and Defend our Seas”, it must develop itself into an institution that have the capacity to protect Myanmar seas and maritime resources and must keep abreast of the capable international counterparts.
Following this, Chief Supervisor Captain Kyaw Kyaw Lin of the Myanmar Coast Guard Headquarters declared four fast patrol vessels as commissioned vessels, in addition to, the ceremony continued to raise the State Flag, Coast Guard Flag, and Commissioning Flag, and ring the bell eight times in accord with the commissioning procedures.
Later, the Senior General inspected the 48-metre fast patrol vessels and signed the record book of the vessel. He then took commemorative photo together with dignitaries, and inspected round the Myanmar Coast Guard HQs.
Source: GNLM (7-10-2024)
- The strength of MCG can be expanded annually for serving such a large array of duties. Moreover, the work establishment of the MCE is required to extend with many vessels, materials and manpower for Myanmar to be able to protect 143,110.72 square nautical miles of water territory with some 1,300 nautical miles of coastal area and 1,400 islands.
- The White Hull Diplomacy is that the Coast Guard which uses white vessels must extend peaceful relations through diplomatic means, provide humanitarian aid, and collectively launch maritime security operations.
- The members of the Coast Guard have to serve their duties as civilian oriented troop to protect civilians by carrying out non-military maritime search and rescue measures, conservation of maritime natural environment and combatting pirates.
- As Coast Guard is a civilian oriented troop that helps the people, it must help and save mariners, assist the functions of civilian port authorities, organizations, agencies.