KOLKATA: Fast patrol vessel 'ICGS Anmol' was commissioned by the Indian Coast Guard today.
'ICGS Anmol' is the 13th in the series of 20 fast patrol vessels being designed and built by the Cochin Shipyard.
The 50-metre-long ship is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 35 knots and has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles with economical speed of 13 knots.
It is equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced navigational and communication equipment and 40/60 Bofors anti-aircraft gun as the main armament.
"The role of the Coast Guard is becoming crucial day by day because of recent strategic developments in China and adjacent countries. With the upcoming Sagarmala project of the Government of India, the responsibility of the service towards safeguarding coastal frontiers will become pivotal in the coming years," West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi said at the commissioning ceremony.
Coast Guard officials said the new vessel will be based at Haldia in West Bengal and will enhance their operational capabilities to undertake multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuations of the region.
Presently Coast Guard district Headquarter Haldia has a compliment of two in-shore patrol vessels, four hovercrafts and one interceptor boat.