The Indian Coast Guard commissioned a new Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), ICGS Abhinav, the third in a series of 20 such vessels being built by the yard, in Kochi, Kerala, in a bid to face the emerging security challenges in the maritime domain.
The highly sophisticated Fast Patrol Vessel is built by Cochin Shipyard, Limited.
The Director General of Indian Coast Guard, Vice-Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal, commissioned the vessel in Kochi.
During the ceremony, Vice Admiral Thapliyal said that they were making efforts to ensure effective monitoring not only of the busy sea-lanes but also of the sparsely populated pockets on the Indian coast.
"We are today proud custodians of more than 90 service platforms and over 60 air assets. Apart from these operational assets, we are also expanding on the infrastructure front, setting up stations on far and remote areas of the coast while ensuring effective monitoring not only of the busy sea-lanes but also of the sparsely populated pockets on the Indian coast," said Vice Admiral Thapliyal.
The water jet propelled vessel has a length of 50 meters and displaces 290 tonnes with a top speed of 33 Knots.
The Fast Patrol Vessels undertake surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation.
Officiating Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Limited, Ravikumar Roddam, Coast Guard's western region commander, Inspector General SPS Basra and senior officers from Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Cochin Shipyard Limited were present during the commissioning ceremony.
Commander of the Coast Guard's western region, Inspector General SPS Basra said that the Indian coast guard was designed and conceptualised for guarding the maritime interest of the nation.
"Indian coast guard designed and conceptualised for guarding the maritime interest of the nation has a huge responsibility to ensure maximum coastal security with available limited resources in coordination with other sister sub-ships for confronting the ever looming threats of piracy and sea borne terrorism," said Basra.
The vessel, which is equipped with advanced navigation and communication sensors and medium-range armament, will be skippered by Commandant Raman Kumar.
It is manned by 39 personnel.
The southern tip of India is close to major trading routes from Asia to Europe. Many cargo ships now travel with armed guards to deter pirates.
India is committed to freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce, and agreed to promote cooperation on maritime issues.
