COAST GUARD ACQUIRES ANOTHER FAST PATROL VESSEL

Coast Guard (ICG), Visakhapatnam on Monday acquired yet another fast patrol vessel ICGS Rani Rashmoni, aimed at performing multifarious tasks in the waters of Bay of Bengal.

Additional director general, Indian Coast Guard VSR Murthy commissioned the ship, which is fifth in the series of Fast Patrol Vessels, at a function in Visakhapatnam.

Designed and built indigenously by Hindustan Ship Yard Limited, the 51 meter (length), 8.36 meter (width) 346 ton ship, named after the legendary Rani Rashmoni of Kolkata, is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment.

ICGS Rashmoni is propelled by three MTU 40000 series diesel engines of 2720 KW capacity each coupled with three Rolls Royce Kamewa jets and can achieve a maximum speeds of 34 knots (63kmph).

Stating that the Coast Guard plays an important role in protecting the wide ranging maritime interests of the nation, particularly after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Murthy said concerted efforts had been made towards capacity building to fulfil the greater responsibility of coastal security.

The latest ship is designed to perform various tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations.

“The project in fact has been challenging for the builders, as they encountered tremendous obstacles in dealing with tonnage of the vessel and the resultant speed,” he said.

He said that the Coast Guard will add 5 more ships to the coast of Andhra Pradesh to be placed at Vizag, Kakinada and Krishnapatnam in the next two years.

The ICG is planning to set up an Air Enclave at Vizag to enhance air surveillance. A jetty will also be built at Kakinada with the help of the Indian Navy.

HYDERABAD:Indian