Hindusthan Shipyard Ltd (HSL) launched a patrol vessel, Rani Rashmoni, for the Indian Coast Guard here on Friday, the fifth and the last in the series. Mr M.M. Pallam Raju, Union Minister of State for Defence, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Rear-Admiral K.C. Sekhar, Chairman and Managing Director, said the company had so far launched 118 vessels from its slipways, including Rani Rashmoni, and it had built 164 vessels of various types including 11 well-head platforms. It had achieved turnover of Rs 662 crore and profit after tax of Rs 56 crore.

“After many years, we are starting with a clean slate. After HSL has been taken over by the Ministry of Defence, we have got several orders and currently we have orders worth Rs 800 crore on hand. We have embarked on modernisation and a wage revision agreement has been signed with the workers,” he said.

Explaining the features of the patrol vessel, he said it was spacious and had a unique hull and three powerful engines. With a length of 51.15 m, breadth of 8.36 m and depth of 4.55 m, the vessel could achieve a speed of 34 knots. The complement was 35. He said the Coast Guard had placed orders for eight more patrol vessels in March this year.

Ms Ila Sharma, wife of the Inspector-General, Mr S.P. Sharma, Commandant of the Coast Guard (east), launched the vessel. Mr Sharma said the Coast Guard was acquiring 13 more offshore patrol vessels, 14 other patrol vessels, 20 interceptor boats, a training ship and a float dock ship. “

Bigger fleet

“We are increasing our fleet and gearing up to face the future challenges in view of increased security concerns. As many as 115 surface platforms are being built in private shipyards for the Coast Guard, and all these ships and craft are being fitted with the most advanced sensors and weapon systems,” he explained.

“This (Rani Rashmoni's)class of ships are the real workhorses of the Coast Guard and ideal platforms for close-coast operations. We can now protect our offshore installations better and can conduct search and rescue operations with greater ease. We can also catch the maritime offenders much faster.”

Mr M.M. Pallam Raju, Union Minister of State for Defence, said the company had performed well in the recent past after acquisition by the Ministry of Defence. All efforts would be made to give more orders to the shipyard, but productivity should be improved. “You have the required skill sets but still there is scope for improvement. The modernisation of the HSL is also going on, and I am sure the HSL will scale greater heights in future,” he said.

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