VISAKHAPATNAM: Indian Coast Guard’s Interceptor Boat (IB) C-423 was commissioned at Krishnapatnam by state director-general of police N Sambasiva Rao, inspector-general Rajan Bargotra, TM, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East) and deputy inspector-general AK Harbola, TM, Commander, Coast Guard District HQ no. 6, MD/CEO on Thursday. This is the 29th interceptor boat among the 36 built in their series.
On the occasion, N Sambasiva Rao said: “Coordination among all stakeholders involved in implementation of Coastal Security measures is the most important factor.”
He intimated that Coastal Security Police in AP is being further strengthened in its capabilities.
The ship on joining the Coast Guard Fleet at Krishnapatnam will enhance Coast Guard’s capability in furthering its mandate of Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, Environmental Protection and Coastal Security on the Eastern Sea board.
Indigenous boat
The interceptor boat has been designed and built indigenously by M/s Larsen and Toubro Limited. It has a length of 27.80 metres, displacement of 101 tonne and can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots with the help of jet propulsion system.
It has endurance of 500 NM at 20 knots of speed, which is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as fisheries protection and monitoring, anti-smuggling, surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, medical evacuation and coordinated operations with other sea-air units.
The IB, commanded by deputy commandant Konark Sharma, has a complement of 11 enrolled personnel.
It is fitted with state-of-the-art communication, navigational equipment and 12.7-mm HMG (Prahari) onboard as main armament.