Coastguard inducts interceptor boat in eastern region

KOLKATA: The Indian Coast Guard today commissioned an Interceptor Boat (IB) for close-coast patrolling along the Odisha and West Bengal coast at Paradip, a defence release said here.

Odisha Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mahapatra commissioned the new vessel. Inspector General K C Pande, Commander Coast Guard Region (North East) and other civil and military dignitaries were present at the ceremony.

The ship is commanded by Deputy Commandant Tarun Dutt Pandey and has a crew of one officer and 11 enrolled personnel.

IB C-426 will be based at Paradip under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North East).

The 28 meter long vessel displaces 90 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots, with an endurance of 500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 25 knots, the release said.

Equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment and medium range armament, it makes an ideal platform for undertaking high-speed interception, close-coast patrol, low intensity maritime operations, search and rescue, medical evacuation and maritime surveillance.