Coast Guard commissions interceptor boat, plans 190 ships by 2022

The induction of the ship, commissioned here by Inspector General Rajan Bargotra, Commander Coast Guard Region (East), was part of the ongoing efforts by the Coast Guard to strengthen Coastal Security.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajan Bargotra said the ICGS C-440 was the 40th ship in the series among the 54 IBs being built by L and T.

Stating that ICG has been on the path of rapid expansion with large number of modern ships and aircrafts being ordered to strengthen the maritime security mechanism, he said the Coast Guard has grown from 61 ships in 2009 to 136 ships to date.

“In 2017, a total of 11 ships have been inducted into service and it will further enhance its fleet with 190 ships and 100 aircraft by 2022,” he added.

The responsibility of the Coast Guard has increased manifold due to present day security matrix, “The modern technology does assist us in our endeavour of surveillance and it is the constabulary presence of our ships and aircrafts in the Maritime Zones of India which acts as a deterrence,” he added.

The ship, commanded by Asst Commandant Kundoor Varun, would strengthen the security umbrella of the east coast and also help augment patrolling in order to prevent illicit activities like infiltration, smuggling and illegal fishing, a defense release said.

Mr Bargotra said the Eastern Region of the Coast Guard was responsible for maintaining surveillance along the 2,207 km of coastline and 4.25 lakh square kms of the Exclusive Economic zone.

The Interceptor Boat is 27.80 metres long, with a displacement of 106 tons and touches a maximum speed of 45 knots (85 kmph).

It was capable of undertaking multiple tasks, including surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue, in addition to rendering assistance to boats and craft in distress at sea in shallow waters as well as in deeper seas. The vessel has advanced navigational and communication equipment for safe navigation.

Basing the ship in Chennai would not only strengthen the security off north Tamil Nadu coast in general and Chennai areas around in particular, but also promptly provide the assistance to fishermen in times of distress. The boat will be utilised during day and night for regular surveillance, anti-smuggling operations, interdiction of suspect vessels, coastal security operations and fisheries protection and monitoring.