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Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday commissioned well-equipped offshore patrolling (OPV) vessel named `Sarathi` at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), Goa-based defence shipyard at Vasco in south Goa.
This vessel is the third in the series of six OPVs built by GSL for Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Commissioning ceremony was also attended by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Director General of Indian Coast Guard Vice Adml. Rajendra Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL Shekhar Mittal, commanding officer of OPV Sarathi Atul Joshi and others.
Singh said that coastal security system of Indian Coast Guard has become very crucial after 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai. Although ICG has strongly prepared for any untoward incident, threat of maritime terrorism is still there. Now it is need of the hour that no development in the coastal area should go unnoticed, Minister further said.
He said that the Home Ministry is very much keen in upgrading coastal security network by various initiatives, such as community interaction programme, issuing ID cards to fisherman community, strengthening coastal security police stations. There are plans to start maritime training centres in coastal States.
Singh also expressed concern about rise of pollution in sea waters. He asked ICG to take appropriate measures to curb these menace while ensuring the security of sea.
Mittal said that GSL could deliver three OPV vessels to ICG in the series of six vessels within 9 months of scheduled time.
This 105-meter OPV, designed and built indigenously by GSL, is equipped with integrated bridge system, integrated machinery control system, power management system, high power external fire fighting system. This vessel is designed to carry one twin engine light helicopter and five high speed boats.
The vessel on joining coast guard fleet will be based at Kochi and will form part of the Naval Training Squadron. In addition, the ship will be deployed for other surveillance and to safeguard the maritime interests of the country.
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