ICGS?Abhinav commissioned

Kochi: Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Abhinav’, the third in the series of twenty Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), was commissioned here on Wednesday by Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, Director General of Indian Coast Guard.

A water jet-propelled high-speed FPV of length 50 metres, displacement 290 tonnes and maximum speed of 33 knots, ICGS Abhinav has an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at economical speed of 13 knots.

The ship is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation. With a complement of 39 personnel -- five officers and 34 other ranks- the ship is commanded by Commandant (JG) Raman Kumar.

During the commissioning function, Thapliyal said the new ships would help the force ensure safe coasts and safe seas.

"Providing maritime security, responding in pollution cases and maintaining law and order are important duties of Coast Guard. In Kerala, where fishermen are not only industrious but adventurers too, their safety is also equally demanding. ICGS Abhinav would be stationed at Kochi coast itself to ensure the securities here," he said.

The first FPV of the series, ICGS Aadesh was commissioned on December 13 and the second, ICGS Abheek was commissioned on December 31.

Thapliyal also said commissioning three ships in a span of 33 days was a testimony to the professionalism, resolve and capabilities of CSL. Vice Admiral also said 46 coastal radar stations along the coast were nearing completion and 38 more station were in the pipeline in the second phase.

Ravikumar Roddam, the Managing Director of CSL, Inspector General S P. S. Basra, the Commander of Coast Guard Region West, and senior officers from Indian Navy, Coast Guard and CSL witnessed the commissioning ceremony. Two more FPVs are likely to be commissioned this financial year.