According to reports, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has launched two vessels and commissioned one all on a single day. All three vessels have been designed and built by GSL for the
Indian Coast Guard.
The two vessels launched include an Extra Fast Patrol Vessel (XFPV) and an Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV). The 105 metre long AOPV will be the biggest vessel ever built for Indian Coast Guard. The XFPV will be the fifth in the series built by GSL.
The commissioning of XFPV Coast Guard Ship Subhadra Kumari Chauhan was held at MPT jetty in Vasco. The 266 ton vessel is 50 meters long and is primarily designed for patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-terrorist operations. With a speed of 35 knots, this vessel is fastest in its category ever built by any shipyard with unique feature of water-jet propulsion. It can also support navy during wartime as a coastal convoy escort and a communication link. The vessel has a minimum endurance of 1500 nautical miles and is fitted with one 30 mm gun, two 12.7 mm machine guns along with highly advanced navigation and communication equipment. For hot pursuit and capture operations requiring high-speed maneuverability, the vessel is powered by three 2720 Kw MTU diesel engines driving three independent water-jets. The hull of the vessel is strong enough to withstand Sea conditions upto sea state six.
The 105 mts AOPV has been named as Coast Guard Ship Sankalp. This is the first of its series and can stage ALH helicopters with helo traversing facility and sea boats. The range of the vessel is 6500 NM with a speed of 23.5 knots. The vessel is powered by two 8100 kw engines with CPP propulsion. The vessel will be ideal for patrolling and policing maritime zones and long-range search and rescue operations.
The Extra Fast Patrol vessel CGS Savitri Bai Phule has the similar features to that that CGS Subhadra Kumari Chauhan.
Both the vessels launched and the one commissioned were ahead of the contractual schedules by GSL signifying the effective ERP enabled process in place along with its optimum and efficient workforce.