Coast Guard gets another off shore patrol vessel

Close on the heels of the successful launch of its first offshore patrol vessel, state-based Goa Shipyard Limited launched the second of the series of six OPVs, designed in-house and built for the Indian Coast Guard here today.
The 105-metre new generation OPV was launched in presence of Additional Director General of Coast Guard Rajendra Singh in a function held at port town of Vasco.
The GSL officials said that this largest OPV will help meet the increasing requirement of the Indian Coast Guard for undertaking policing and patrolling of the vast Indian exclusive economic zone.
"This ship is also capable of other Coast Guard functions like search and rescue operations, pollution control and external fire fighting. It will also be deployed for ocean surveillance and for monitoring sea lanes of communication," officials said.

In one of the important features, the OPV is capable of supporting embarkation and operation of the indigenously designed advanced light helicopter.
"The powering requirement of this ship is about ten per cent less, even though the breadth as well as the displacement has been increased to improve habitability, operatibility and survivability," said Rear Admiral Shekhar Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, GSL.
"This will directly lead to reduction in fuel related cost over the life cycle of the ship, besides additional comfort and less fatigue to the crew, with better sea bearing characteristics," he added.