Natarajan takes charge as new chief of Indian Coast Guard

New Delhi: Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan PTM, TM took over as the 23rd Chief of Indian Coast Guard on Sunday. A 5th Batch Officer of the Indian Coast Guard, he joined service in Jan 1984. During the initial years, he specialised in select core competencies viz. Search and Rescue as well as Maritime Safety and Port Operations, at the US Coast Guard Reserve Training Centre, Yorktown, Virginia.

The Officer holds a Masters' Degree in Defence & Strategic Studies from Madras University and isan alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. In his illustrious career spanning over 35 years, the Flag Officer has had the distinction of holding important Command and Staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. He has commanded all classes of Indian Coast Guard ships, viz. Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) and Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV).

He has also served as the Commander Coast Guard District No.5 (Tamil Nadu), the Commanding Officer ICGS Mandapam and as the first Officer-in-Charge of Coast Guard Training Centre (Kochi).

At the Coast Guard Headquarters, his key staff assignments include Principal Director (Policy & Plans), Chairman Coast Guard Service Selection Board, Principal Director (Projects), Joint Director (Operations) and Coast Guard Advisor (CGA) to the Director General Indian Coast Guard.