First Inshore Patrol Vessel Coast Guard Rajshree commissioned
Gujarat global News Network, Kolkata
Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajshree, the first in the series of eight Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) was commissioned by Director General Indian Coast Guard, Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan. ICGS Rajshree would be based at Chennai under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).
Dwelling upon the criticality of capacity building towards tackling emergent maritime challenges, DG ICG reiterated the need for continuous vigil along the nation's maritime frontiers to preserve and protect our maritime interests.
Speaking of several far-reaching initiatives that would provide requisite fillip to the Coast Guard's capabilities, he said: "The new series of IPVs demonstrate the technological leap the Coast Guard has taken and is also a step towards substantially increasing force levels to face the emerging security challenges in the maritime domain."
He said "The ship will add a punch to the efforts of Coast Guard in its coastal security operations and other charter of duties in the Eastern Seaboard."
ICGS Rajshree is commanded by Commandant Pankaj Verma, a specialist Navigation and Direction Officer and an alumnus of prestigious US Naval War College, Newport. The ship has a complement of five officers and 30 other personnel.
The 50-metre long indigenous IPV displaces 300 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 16 knots.
Equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment, it makes an ideal platform for undertaking multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, Search and Rescue, and medical evacuation.
The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge Management System (IBMS), Integrated Machinery Control System (ICMS), and integrated gun mount with indigenous Fire Control System (FCS).
ICGS Rajshree has been designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited. Others present at the 'Commissioning Ceremony' included GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Rear Admiral (Retd) AK Verma, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), Inspector General SP Sharma and other senior dignitaries.
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