Article Posted on : - Dec 01, 2010

AHMEDABAD (PTI): The Indian Coast Guard commissioned a high-speed ship to its fleet on Wednesday, which would be based at its newly commissioned Veraval station in Gujarat's Junagadh district, officials said.

The 28-metre-long C-149 ship with a 90 ton displacement and having a complement of 12 sailors was commissioned by the Chief Secretary of Gujarat government A K Jyoti at a ceremony held in Porbander, they said.

The ship can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots, responding to any fast developing situation at the sea.

In addition, it is equipped with state-of-the-art navigational and communication equipment including satellite communication system.

It is also fitted with 12.7 mm 'Prahari' Heavy Machine Gun for effective fire power besides other small arms.

The C-149 is the seventh in the series of 11 high speed ships designed and built indigenously by Surat-based ABG Shipyard and would be based at Veraval to enhance surveillance capabilities of the ICG along the Gujarat Coast.

With its induction, the Coast Guard fleet now comprises of 44 ships, 19 interceptor boats, six hovercraft, 24 fixed wing aircraft (Dornier) and 21 helicopters to undertake operations like search and rescue, anti-poaching, coastal surveillance and checking smuggling.