AHMEDABAD: The Indian Coast Guard today commissioned ICGS Ankit and three high-speed interceptor boats at Porbandar.
"ICGS (Indian Coast Guard Ship) Ankit and interceptor boats C-419, C-420 and C-155 were commissioned by Director General of the Indian Coast Guard Vice Admiral H C S Bisht at Porbandar today," an official statement said.
"This is part of ongoing efforts by the Indian Coast Guard to strengthen coastal security mechanism. It will also help to augment patrolling and prevent illicit activities such as infiltration, smuggling and illegal fishing," it added.
With the commissioning of these four ships, the force level of Coast Guard had increased to 116 ships and boats, said the statement.
ICGS Ankit, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi, is a 50 metres long Fast Patrol Vessel with 421 tons displacement which can achieve a maximum speed of 35 knots.
ICGS C-419 and C-420 are 27.8 metre long interceptor boats with 106 tons displacement. Built by Larsen & Toubro, these boats can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots.
ICGS C-155, built by Bharati Shipyard Ltd, Mumbai is a 27.6 metres long interceptor Boat with 73 tons displacement and can achieve a maximum speed of 35 knots.
ICGS Ankit and C-419 will be based at Porbandar and Pipavav off Gujarat coast respectively, while C-420 and C-155 will be based at Karwar.
Commander of the Coast Guard in the Western Sea-board Additional Director General SPS Basra and North-West Region's Commander Inspector General Kuldip Singh Sheoran were also present at the commissioning ceremony.