On 12th of September, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned well-equipped offshore patrolling (OPV) vessel, `ICGS Sarathi` at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL). GSL is a Goa-based defence shipyard at Vasco in south Goa.
The commissioning ceremony also saw the attendance of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Vice Admiral Rajendra Singh (Director General of Indian Coast Guard ), Shekhar Mittal (Chairman and Managing Director of GSL), Atul Joshi (commanding officer of OPV Sarathi) among others.
- ‘Sarathi’ meaning charioteer is a projection of Indian Coast Guard’s will and commitment ‘To serve and protect’ the maritime interest of the nation.
- This vessel is the third in the series of six OPVs built by GSL for Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
- This ship is 105-meter long, designed and built indigenously by GSL.
- It has a displacement of 2,450 tons and is propelled by two 9,100 KW diesel engines. The warship is capable of cruising at a speed of 26 knots and has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.
- It is equipped with a 30 mm CRN 91 Naval Gun, power management system, integrated bridge system, high power external fire-fighting system, integrated machinery control system, and other advance machineries.
- This vessel is designed to carry one twin engine light helicopter and five high speed boats including two Quick Reaction Inflatable Boats.
- The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spill at sea.
- 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.
- ICGS Sarathi will be based at Kochi and will form part of the Naval Training Squadron. It will additionally be deployed for the EEZ surveillance and other duties.
- ICGS ‘Sarathi’ will carry 14 officers & 98 men on it and will be under the control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (West).
