NEW DELHI, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday commissioned Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) -- Sachet and two interceptor boats (IBs) C-450 and C-451 in Goa via a video conference, officials said.
ICGS Sachet, the first in the series of five offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), has been designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment.
"The commissioning of these ships is an important milestone in India's coastal capability building process. Also, despite challenges like COVID-19, it is also a great example of our commitment and determination for the safety and security of the country," Singh in a statement said.
The 105-metre longship displaces approximately 2,350 tons and is propelled by two 9,100 KW diesel engines designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots, with an endurance of 6,000 nautical miles.
The ship is designed to carry a twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats and one inflatable boat for swift boarding and search and rescue operations. The ship is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.
Officials said it was for the first time in Indian maritime history that a ship was commissioned through a digital medium, maintaining strict protocol of social distancing in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem
