Article Posted on : - Mar 16, 2010

An artistic conception Offshore Patrol Vessel 'VISHWAST'

PANAJI (PTI): ICGS 'VISHWAST', first-of-its kind, indigenously designed Offshore Patrol Vessel will be commissioned by Defence Minister A K Antony to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Wednesday.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), one of the prominent defence shipbuilding yards, has built the ship which has state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipments.

The vessel is 90 meter in length, has an Integrated Bridge System and is also provided with Platform Management System, a GSL spokesman said.

"Propelled by two MTU engines, this vessel delivers a maximum speed of 26 knots and has an endurance of 4500 nautical miles. The vessel is capable of operating a helicopter. The vessel is also equipped with a 30 mm gun to counter undesirable intruders," he said.

This is the only vessel in this class in the world with a large range of facilities for Pollution Control, Fire Fighting, Search & Rescue and Patrolling, the spokesman added.

Indian Coast Guard would be using the ship for patrolling and policing maritime zones, search and rescue operation, maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling operation, pollution response against oil spillage and external fire-fighting.