The Current Economic Growth witnessed by the Country demands stringent legislations for checking marine pollution at sea, in our harbours and pollution resulting due to the grounding of ships along the coastline, besides addressing the security issues related to the increase in incidents of piracy at sea”, said Vice Admiral RF Contractor, the Director General of Coast Guard.
The DGCG was addressing the gathering here at the launching ceremony of the “ICGS Samrat”, the Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) here.
This is the biggest and the sixth AOPV for Indian Coast Guard and the second in series launched by the Goa Shipyard.
The vessel was launched by Smt Sushmita Dutt, wife of Shri Shekhar Dutt, The Defence Secretary amidst ceremonial invocation and playing of navy Band.
“To perform the onerous task and as part of capability augmentation plan, the Indian Coast Guard has Chartered a course to induct into service 2 AOPVs, 3OPVs, 3 PCVs, 11IBs, 21PVs, 4 FPVs, Helicopters and Fix Wing Aircraft in phased Manner”, further said the Vice Admiral.
This 2230 tonne ship has range of 6500 nautical miles and can attain a speed of 24 knots with excellent maneouvering Capabilities.
The Vessel is equipped with the most modern, sophisticated and state of art technology equipment and machinery, external fire fighting system, Automatic identification system, Satellite communication and weapon control system etc. It can detect targets at night using Infra red surveillance system.
The ship is primarily designed for round the clock, all weather coastal patrolling, policing marine Zones, search and rescue operations, operation of advanced light helicopter for long range all time SAR and surveillance, pollution control and external fire fighting.
Courtesy:mangalorean
