“ICGS Vaibhav”, the 90 meters class of Offshore Patrol Vessel, indigenously designed in house and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd was handed over to the Indian Coast Guard on 31 st March 2013 .
DIG Vivek Vajpayee TM Principal Director (Material), Shri R Choudhary Director (Ops) GSL, Shri Sanjiv Sharma Director (Fin) GSL , DIG R H Nandodkar TM CGRPS, DIG K Janardanan TM Commanding Officer and other senior GSL and Coast Guard Officers were present on the occasion.
ICGS “ Vaibhav ” is the third in the series of three OPVs built by GSL for the Indian Coast Guard.
The vessel is equipped with most advanced state-of- the-art Navigational and Communication equipment, sensors and machineries . The special features include an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS), Power Management system (PMS), High Power external fire Fighting system (ABS Fi-Fi Class -1) and an indigenous Close Range Naval (CRN) 91 Gun along with Fire control system .
The Vessel is designed to carry a Helicopter and Five High Speed Boats for search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The Vessel is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to combat oil spill at sea. The Ship is fitted with Global Maritime Distress and Safety system (GMDSS) making it an apt platform to carry out search and rescue operations in Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR) .
Propelled by twin diesel engines, the vessel has an endurance of 4500 nautical miles and attains a maximum speed of 26 knots. The vessel can stay at Sea for 15 days without replenishment. The sustenance and reach coupled with most modern equipment and systems; provide the OPV with a capability to perform the role of a command platform.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, April 2, 2013; Image: Goa Shipyard