Two fast patrol vessels for Coast Guard launched

KOLKATA: Two fast patrol vessels manufactured by Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for Indian Coast Guard were launched Thursday.

The vessels, named ICGS Amrit Kaur and ICGS Kamla Devi after freedom fighters, are the third and fourth in a series of five fast patrol vessels being built by GRSE for the Coast Guard, GRSE chairman cum managing director Rear Admiral V K Saxena said.

The launch takes the number of ships and other vessels of the Coast Guard to 137, ICG (North-East) inspector general Rajan Bargotra told newspersons.

The ships were launched by Veena Navarane, wife of Lt Gen M M Navarane, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command of the Army.

The vessels are 50 metres long, 7.5 metres wide with a displacement of around 308 tons, he said.

"These ships are designed for a maximum speed of 34 knots with an endurance of more than 1,500 nautical miles," the CMD said.

The vessel comes fitted with state-of-the-art main engines with advanced control systems with modular accomodation for 35 personnel, he said.

The vessels will now go through balance fitting out and sea trials before these are finally delivered to the Coast Guard.