Coast Guard commissions 3rd IPV 'Rani Durgavati' at Vizag

VISHAKAPATNAM: Indian Coast Guard today commissioned 'ICGS Rani Durgavati', the 3rd Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) of its kind, at the Coast Guard district headquarters here.

The IPV, designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, is equipped with the most-advanced and sophisticated navigational communication sensors and equipment.

The ship was commissioned by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral Satish Soni.

"The responsibility of the Coast Guard has increased manifold due to present day security matrix," Soni said, adding that 'ICGS Rani Durgavati' is the third in series of five fast patrol vessels being built by the Hindustan Shipyard limited, Visakhapatnam.

'ICGS Rani Durgavati', propelled by three MTU 4000 series diesel engines of 2720 KW capacity at 2100 RPM each coupled with three 7152 Rolls Royce kamewa jets, can achieve the maximum speed of 34 knots, an official release stated.

At an economical speed of 14 knots, 'Rani Durgavati' has an endurance of 1500 nautical miles and the special features of the ship include an integrated bridge system, integrated machinery control systems and an indigenously built gun mount with fire control systems.

ICGS RANI DURGAVATI, the 3rd In-Shore patrol vessel of ICG,commissioned @ Vizag by ENC Chief Vice Admiral Satish Soni pic.twitter.com/ye0EMCwqVA

— Sitanshu Kar (@SpokespersonMoD) July 6, 2015

The ship is designed to carry one rigid inflatable boat and two Geminis for search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol, the release stated.

The IPV is manned by five officers and 34 men and is commanded by Commandant S. Zakir Hussain. The ship will be based at Karaikal under the administrative and operation control of the commander, Coast Guard region (East).

The ship is named after 16th century Gond queen Rani Durgavati who belongs to the family of famous Rajput emperor Keerat Rai of Chandel dynasty. She is famous in history for defeating the army of Baz Bahadur and for bravely fighting against the Mughal army.

Addressing reporters later, the Vice-Admiral said that 37 out of 79 countries have already confirmed their participation in the International Fleet Review to be held at Visakhapatnam from February 5 to 8, 2016.

"President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event and witness the President's Fleet review on February 7 next year," he said.