Chennai, Aug 28 (UNI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday commissioned the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Vigraha, the seventh in the series of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).
The ship, indigenously built by L and T ship building limited, is fitted with advanced fire power and designed to carry one twin-engine Helicopter and four high speed boats.
The ship will be based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and operate on the eastern seaboard under the Operational and Administrative Control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).
The 98-meter OPV, with a complement of 11 officers and 110 sailors, is fitted with advanced technology radars, navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery capable of operating in tropical sea conditions.
The vessel is armed with a 40/60 Bofors gun and fitted with two 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote Control Gun with fire control system.
The ship is also equipped with integrated bridge system, integrated platform management system, automated power management system and high-power external fire-fighting system.
The ship is also designed to carry one twin-engine Helicopter and four high speed boats for boarding operation, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol.
The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spill at sea. The ship displaces approximately 2,200 tons and is propelled by two 9100 KW diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 nautical miles per hour with endurance of 5000 nm at economical speed.
The ship, on joining the Coast Guard Eastern fleet, will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard Charter to safeguard the country’s maritime interests.
With this ship joining the fleet, the ICG now has will have 157 ships and 66 aircraft in its inventory.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Director General Indian Coast Guard K Natarajan and other senior dignitaries of the central and state governments.
UNI
