Addl DG (CG) Vijay Chafekar, becomes CG Commander (Western Seaboard)
   Date :03-Nov-2019
Vijay Chafekar 
Staff Reporter :
 
Nagpur has one more reason to be proud of. Vijay Digambar Chafekar, Additional Director General and an officer decorated with PTM and TM, a Nagpurian has assumed charge as Coast Guard (CG) Commander (Western Seaboard) on November 1. Vijay Chafekar spent early years of his life in Nagpur, studying in New English High School, Main Branch. He graduated from Mohota Science College in the year 1982. He is married to Chitra. His son Sarang works in Pune whereas daughter Ahilya is pursuing MBA in Nursee Monjee College, Mumbai.
 
Chafekar is a distinguished graduate of Naval Staff College, New Port, USA and has also done naval higher command course in the year 2008. He holds MSc, M Phil degree in Defence and Strategic Studies and post-graduate diploma in Maritime Law. He is presently pursuing doctorate in maritime history from Mumbai University. The Additional DG has a vast experience of serving onboard different class of Indian Coast Guard ships that include command of fast patrol vessels, offshore patrol vessel.
 
The officer had the distinction of being commissioning Commanding Officer of ICGS Samrat, an advanced offshore patrol vessel. A trained pilot, he has considerable flying experience operating ICG Dorniers on the eastern as well as Western Seaboard. He has commanded Dornier squadron and the much-coveted command of Coast Guard Air Station at Chennai and Coast Guard Air Station at Daman, the premier aviation base of the coast guard, states an official press release. In his service spanning 35 years, the officer has held important afloat and aviation appointments. He was associated with operations and policy formulation in his appointment at CG Headquarters, New Delhi as Joint Director (Ops). He was instrumental in establishing an exclusive directorate for administering issues pertaining to fisheries and environment, in consonance with increasing role envisaged for ICG in marine environment protection and fisheries by the Government of India.
 
The flag officer was at the helm of Bureau of Naviks for three years wherein he was responsible for human resources management policies along with training and promotion aspects of Coast Guard sailors. As Principal Director (Policy and Plans) and subsequently DDG (P&P), the officer was closely associated with formulation of Coast Guard development/perspective plans and overall organisational development towards effective discharge of statutory functions. In recognition of the meritorious service rendered by him, he was awarded Tatrakshak Medal (TM) on Republic Day-2012 and President Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) for distinguished service on Independence Day-2014.
 
‘My endeavour will be to keep operational and administrative synergy’ Vijay Digambar Chafekar, after having commanded the CG Western Region for about 18 months, got promoted to the rank of Additional Director General and assumed charge of CG Commander (Western Seaboard). While relinquishing the charge of Commander CG Western Region, the Additional Director General said that the events of the past and current security concerns highlighted the fact that Western Region continued to be a high-risk area to safety and security and prone to incidents at sea. Accordingly, Coast Guard Western Region has been steadfast in its resolve to protect national interests in the maritime zones. Additional Director General V D Chafekar emphasised that the proficient progression of the region’s engagements in multifarious operations including large number of boarding operations, saving hundreds of precious lives in search and rescue/medical evacuations/humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions besides assistance to 7,730 flood-affected people bore testimony to valour/commitment and living up to the Coast Guard motto ‘We Protect’.
 
“Coast Guard’s effective coordination has enhanced the synergy amongst all stake-holders and littorals in conduct of maritime security exercises/pollution response exercises and anti-drug trafficking missions, which have bolstered the region’s preparedness against emerging maritime threats and underpinned our commitment towards maritime security, environment protection, safe and secure seas,” Chafekar was quoted as saying in official press release issued by Coast Guard. Western Seaboard is spread over five uniquely placed coastal States and two Union Territories. It has a combined coastline of 3,468 kms. It is also an area visited by regular incidents and accidents and hardly any day passes off without any operational issues.
 
“My endeavour as Coast Guard Commander Western Seaboard will be to keep operational and administrative synergy amongst both regions. Taking in to consideration of geo-strategic scenario, the threat perception and availability of 27 ships, 35 interceptor boats, nine air cushion vehicles, 20 interceptor crafts, and 24 various types of aircraft, the traditional operational philosophy is to maintain continual presence of Coast Guard assets at sea, and undertake exclusive economic zone patrol at sensitive areas to interdict/respond to suspicious vessels/activity at sea,” he was quoted. In 2019, till today, both the regions combined have carried out around 2,000 boarding operations and saved hundreds of lives at sea and medical evacuations, stated the press release.