Coast Guard inducts two interceptor boats for multifarious tasks

CHENNAI: Enhancing its 'close to coast' surveillance along South Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast, Indian Coast Guard has inducted two interceptor boats that can be used in multifarious tasks including search and rescue.

ICG's C-415 and C-416 boats were commissioned at Karaikkal Port in Puducherry by Inspector General SP Sharma, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East) in "traditional ceremony with full military honours," an official release here said today.

"With the induction of these two interceptor boats, the Coast Guard has increased close to coast surveillance along the South Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast," it said.

C-415 will be based at Karaikal while the other will be based at Mandapam near Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

These indigenously built boats were capable of undertaking multifarious tasks including surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and coordinated operations with other sea-air units, it said.

Built by Larsen and Toubro Ltd, the boats have an overall length of 27.80 metres, a displacement of 101 tons and can reach a maximum speed of 45 knots.

They are fitted with state-of-the-art communication and navigational equipment besides a 12.7 MM HMG as 'main armament,' it said adding the two boats have a 'complement' of one officer and 11 enrolled personnel each.