Indian Coast Guard Ship Vaibhav, the 3rd in the series of 90 meters class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was commissioned yesterday at Tuticorin byVice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, Director General Indian Coast Guard.
This 90 metres OPV has been designed and built indigenously by M/s GSL and is fitted with the state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machineries. Her 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 one indigenous Close Range Naval Gun (CRN-91) along with an optical fire control system. The ship is designed to carry one Helicopter and five high speed boats for Search and Rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to combat oil spill at sea. The ship is fitted with advanced Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) making it an apt platform to carryout search and rescue operations in Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).
The ship draws 1940 tons and is propelled by two diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 Knots. At economical speed, it has an endurance of 4500 nautical miles and can stay at sea for 15 days without any replenishment. The sustenance and reach coupled with the latest and modern equipment and systems, provide her with the capability to perform the role of a command platform and accomplish all Coast Guard charter of duties.
The ship on joining Coast Guard Fleet will be deployed extensively for the EEZ surveillance and such other duties as enlisted in Coast Guard Charter. The vessel will be exploited extensively in the Eastern region, more so, in the sensitive Gulf of Mannar and up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with Sri Lanka, to safeguard the maritime interests of India.
ICGS Vaibhav, will be manned by 10 Officers and 84 men under the command of Deputy Inspector General Sanjiv Trikha and will be based at Tuticorin under the administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (East).
[mappress] Press Release, May 22, 2013; Image: Goa Shipyard