Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) launched the third Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), being built for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), on May 28. The vessel bearing yard Hull No. BY 503 was launched by Smt. Nina Paul Antony, in the presence of DIG Satish Chandran, TM, COM DIS 4 and DIG TP Sadanandan, CGRPS (K) of Indian Coast Guard.
Commodore K. Subramaniam, C&MD, CSL, Shri Paul Antony, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, Senior Officials of the Coast Guard, Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Ltd., were also present. The vessel was named ‘ABHINAV’ by Smt Nina Paul Antony.
The launch was a visual spectacle in its innovativeness. With the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) occupying the building dock, the Fast patrol Vessel weighing 120 tons placed on specially designed cradles at the dock had been hoisted by the gantry crane and transported over the entire length of the IAC, before being lowered into the water. This unique method is another example of the Shipyard`s quest to find innovative solutions.
The vessel is the third in a series of 20 FPVs contracted by CSL for the ICG. The contract was signed in 2010 with delivery of the last vessel slated for 2017. The vessels are being built under the dual classification requirements of ABS and IRS. The 50 metre x 7.6 metre x 4.65 metre vessels have a designed speed of 33 knots. The primary role of the vessel includes fisheries protection and monitoring, patrol within exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and coastal patrol, anti smuggling, search and rescue operations and anti piracy operations. The vessels have a secondary role of providing communication link & escort of 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. The high speed boats are weight sensitive and integrate extensive amount of Aluminium in the super structure. Cochin Shipyard has developed special techniques to ensure high quality welding and fabrication of the Aluminium structures.
Cochin Shipyard presently has 25 ships on order consisting of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels, 3 Offshore Support ships for Indian and foreign owners, 1 Buoy Tender vessel for the Department of Lighthouses and Lightships and the Prestigious Aircraft Carrier for the Indian Navy.
[mappress] Press Release, May 31, 2013; Image: CSL