The Indian Coast Guard said today it has commissioned two high-speed interceptor boats fitted with a 12.7 mm machine gun at the Dighi Port in Mumbai, in a move that will boost security along the Maharashtra coastline.
The C-433 and C-434 boats - built by L&T Shipbuilding in Chennai - are 27.42 metres long and have a displacement of 136 tons each.
"These water jet propelled vessel have an endurance of 500 nautical miles at 20 knots and are capable of doing speeds up to 45 knots. The vessels are fitted with latest state of art navigational and communication equipment with 12.7 mm machine gun," the Coast Guard said in a statement.
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The vessels were designed for high-speed interception, close coast patrol, low intensity maritime operations, search and rescue and maritime surveillance, it added.
The commissioning of the boats will strengthen the security umbrella over the 720-km-long Maharashtra coastline. It will also help in patrolling and prevent illicit activities such as infiltration, smuggling and illegal fishing.
The boats were commissioned at Dighi Port, Murud Janjira, by Inspector General KR Nautiyal, Commander, Coast Guard Region (West) yesterday.
Murud Janjira is located on the Raigad coast, which was earlier notorious for smuggling.
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