VISAKHAPATNAM: Union minister of state for defence MM Pallam Raju on Friday commissioned the Indian Coast guard ship Rani Abbakka, the first in a series of five Inshore Patrol Vessels, built at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited at the Coastguard jetty here.
Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice- Admiral MP Muralidharan, Director General Indian Coastguard and other senior dignitaries of the central and state governments attended the programme.
HSL chairman-cum-managing director NK Mishra said the ship is named after Abbakka Mahadevi, the legendary queen of Ullal, Karnataka who fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century.
The 50-meter inshore patrol vessel, ICGS Rani Abbakka, is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated navigational and communication sensors and equipment, he said.
It is propelled by three MTU 4000 series diesel engines of 2720 KW capacity at 2100 rpm each, coupled with three 71SII Rolls Royce Jets to a maximum speed of 31.5 knots, he said.
At a speed of 14 knots, it has an endurance of 1500 nautical miles in addition to special features such as an integrated bridge system IBS), machinery control system (IMCS) and an indigenously built gun mount with fire control system, he said.
The ship is designed to carry one rigid inflatable boat and two Geminis for search and rescue operations and maritime patrol, he added.
On ship building industry, Pallam Raju said HSL has built a ship on par with international standards and has exhibited excellent role wothiness during the trials.
The achivement of quality standards despite ongoing modernisation programme of the shipyard is indeed commendable, he said.
However, there should be more focus on shortening the delivery periods by the shipyard in future, he said.
Pallam Raju said four more IPV vessels are being built at HSL to be inducted into the Coast guard.
Two pollution control vessels, 36 fast patrol vessels, 12 air cushion vehicles and 56 interceptor boats are also at various stages of construction at different shipyards including private ship yards, he said.
With the induction of the current vessel and other assets, the Indian Coast guard is bound to be a potent force in the world, he added.
Pallam Raju said after a gap of 18 years, HSL built the ship.
Maritime scenario in the country has undergone many changes and so has the task of the Indian Coast guard, he said.
Economic growth witnessed by the country during the last two decades has reinforced the importance of maritime trade and commerce, he said.
Growth in maritime traffic has called for an efficient framework of maritime safety, security, environment protection, disaster management and law enforcement, he said.
Despite several constraints, Coast Guard units have undertaken multifarious maritime activities such as search and rescue and anti-poaching operations, rendering assistance to mariners and fishefolk in distress in addition to handling refugees and marine environment protection, he added.
Vice-Admiral MP Muralidharan, director general Indian Coast guard said ICGS Rani Abbakka is manned by 5 officers and 30 men under the command of Commandant C Vivekananda.
Rani Abbakka will be based at Chennai and will be under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast guard Region East), he said.
The ship is expected to enhance Coast guard's capability in furthering its mandate of maritime safety, environmental protection and coastal security on the Eastern sea board, he added