Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) launched the first Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) being built for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on 09th January 2013.
The vessel bearing the yard Hull No. BY 501 was launched by Smt. Jayasree Muralidharan, in the presence of Vice Admiral M P Muralidharan, AVSM, NM, Director General, Indian Coast Guard. Commodore K. Subramaniam, C&MD, senior Officials of the Coast Guard, Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The vessel was named AADESH by Mrs Jayasree Muralidharan.
The vessel is the first in a series of 20 FPVs contracted by CSL for the ICG. The contract was signed in 2010 with the delivery of the last vessel slated for 2017. The vessels are being built under the dual classification requirements of ABS and IRS. These 50 metre x 7.6 metre x 4.65 metre vessels have a designed speed of 33 knots. The primary role of the vessel include fisheries protection and monitoring, patrol within exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and coastal patrol, anti smuggling, search and rescue operations and for anti piracy operations. The vessels have a secondary role of providing communication link & escort convoys during hostilities and war time.
These high speed Fast Patrol Vessels, though small in size are extremely complex and technologically challenging. The ships are propelled by water jets to attain a speed of 33 knots. These high speed boats are weight sensitive and extensive use of Aluminium in the area of the super structure has been made. Cochin Shipyard has developed special techniques to ensure high quality welding and fabrication of Aluminium structures. The ship has been designed by M/s SEDS, a company operating from Kochi. This is the first collaboration between CSL and a local design house.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 10, 2013; Image: CSL