Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered the fourth of the series of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels being built for the Indian Coast Guard, today.
The first reading of D 448 (protocol of delivery) was signed by Shri Ravi Kumar Roddam, Director (Finance), on behalf of CSL and commandant designate of BY 504 Cmdt Ashok Kumar of Indian Coast Guard. Shri inayakumar P, Director (Technical), CSL, DIG Vivek Vajpayee, Principal Director (Materials), Indian Coast Guard and DIG TP Sadanandan, CGRPS (Kochi) were present on the occasion. The vessel is named “ABHIRAJ” and will be operated by the Coast Guard station at Tuticorin.
Cochin Shipyard had signed the contract for the construction of the 20 Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) for the Indian Coast Guard on 20th October 2010. The yard had earlier delivered three vessels viz ICGS “Abheek”, “ICGS Aadesh” and “ICGS Abhinav”. The first vessel was commissioned on 13 December 2013, the second on 31 December 2013 and the third on 15 Jan 2014. Like its sister ships, “ABHIRAJ” can move very fast at a speed of 33 knots and will be very effective in supporting the Indian Coast Guard in its anti smuggling, anti piracy operations, fisheries protection and monitoring. Since speed of the vessel will be very crucial in coastal security operations, the superstructure of these ships is made of aluminum.
The ship is propelled by water jets powered by three Main Engines, each of capacity-2720 KW and built to the dual classicfication requirements of ABS and IRS.
Apart from the 20 Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard, the yard is also constructing the most prestigious warship of the nation, the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, 1 Offshore Support Vessel for Norwegian owner and one Buoy Tender Vessel for Directorate of Light Houses and Light Ships, Govt. of India.
Cochin Shipyard delivered 40 ships during the period 1975-2000, 14 ships in the period 2001-2005, 29 ships during 2006-2010 and is expected to deliver 16 ships during 2011-2015.
[mappress] Press Release, March 4, 2014, 2014; Image: Cochin Shipyard