Coastguard's state-of-art interceptor vessel commissioned

MUMBAI: An Indian Coastguard interceptor vessel, fitted with state-of-art navigation and communication equipment, was today commissioned at the Naval dockyard here.

"Patrolling by 30-meter-long boat, which has a maximum speed of 45 knots, will result in enhanced security along the coast of Maharashtra. Let me take this opportunity to salute zeal and dedication of the coast guard personnel, who are guarding the coast round the clock," Maharashtra Director General Sanjeev Dayal said.

The medium range armament fitted boat will involve in high speed interception, coast patrolling, low-intensity maritime operations, search and rescue and maritime surveillance, he added.

With its commissioning, the Indian Coast guard now has 82 ships and boats. In the next five years, same number of boats and ships are planned to be inducted.

The interceptor will be based at Ratnagiri under the administrative and operational control of the commander at Coast Guard district Headquarters 2, said Inspector General (Coast Guard) SPS Basra.

It is being commanded by Deputy Commandant G Mani Kumar and has a crew of one officer and 11 enrolled personnel.

It is the second of the series of 36 interceptor boats designed and built by M/s Larsen and Toubro. The first interceptor boat of the series was inducted at Porbandar in Gujarat a few months ago.