Fast patrol vessel 'Abhiraj' commissioned at Tuticorin

Strengthening the surveillance in the region, the Indian Coast Guard's fast patrol indigenous vessel 'Abhiraj' was commissioned today in Tuticorin.
It was commissioned in the presence of Vice Admiral Surinder Pal Singh Cheema and Commander Coast Guard Region (East) Inspector General S P Sharma.
"The 50 metre indigenous vessel displaces 290 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 13 knots", an official release said.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment. It would be used for undertaking missions like surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation, it said.

Cheema after commissioning the vessel said the fast patrol vessels were the "work horses" of the Coast Guard.
The ship would be based at Tuticorin Port and would be under control of the Commander, Coast Guard region (East).
The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge Management System, Integrated Machinery Control System and an integrated gun mount with indigenous Fire Control System, the release said.