ADG Donny Michael Appointed as Coast Guard Commander of the Eastern Seaboard at Visakhapatnam
The Government of India has approved the elevation of Coast Guard Regional Commander East, Inspector General Donny Michael, as the Additional Director General with effect from 29 September 24. On promotion, the flag officer will assume charge as the Coast Guard Commander of the Eastern Seaboard at Visakhapatnam.
IG Donny Michael assumed command of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Region East, in November 2023. In less than a year under his command, the Eastern Region of Indian Coast Guard saw multiple operations, most notable being the swift response during the large scale flood situation in Chennai and Tuticorin, coordination of the oil spill response at Ennore in December 2023 along with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, prevention of illegal immigration and successful seizure of contrabands including narcotics near the India - Sri Lanka maritime boundary.The Eastern Region also witnessed accelerated infrastructure growth such as the inauguration of a new ‘state of the art’ Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre (RMPRC) in Chennai and the commissioning of the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry.
Inspector General Donny Michael joined the ICG on 06th July 1990 on completion of his graduation from the Loyola College, Chennai. He underwent the specialist course on Navigation and Direction from the Indian Navy’s Navigation Direction School, Kochi. He completed Masters in Maritime Affairs from the World Maritime University, Sweden besides completing LLB from the Delhi University. He has been actively involved in various Coast Guard related litigation matters and defended the Union Government interests at courts and other arbitration forums. The flag officer has also coordinated the actions relating to national level policies on Maritime Search and Rescue and has presented papers on environment protection matters at various national and international conferences.
Inspector General Donny Michael was awarded Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry) for his brave display of leadership while saving a burning merchant vessel near Mumbai in September 2012. In recognition to his exemplary service, the flag officer was awarded the prestigious President Tatrakshak Medal (PTM) on 15 August 2024 for distinguished service. The officer has commanded an Inshore Patrol Vessel, a Fast Patrol Vessel, the first indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel and an Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel of the ICG in the past. He has also shouldered the responsibilities of the Deputy Director General (HRD) and Deputy Director General (CG Selection Board) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi, prior to taking over as the Commander, Coast Guard Region East.
As Coast Guard Commander, Eastern Seaboard, the flag officer will be the administrative authority for two ICG regions namely Coast Guard Region East covering the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and the ICG Region North East, covering the states of West Bengal and Odisha. His vast duties as Coast Guard Commander Eastern Seaboard will include overseeing the ICG operations, infrastructure growth, capacity augmentation, policy matters and welfare activities in the ICG units along the entire eastern seaboard of India.
