CHENNAI (PTI): The third indigenously designed and built offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for the Indian Coast Guard was formally launched near here on Tuesday.

To be inducted after extensive trials, the OPV will be manned by a 102-member crew and utilised for day and night patrol, surveillance and to provide coastal security, a cost guard release said.

The vessel "YARD-45003" equipped with ultra-modern navigation and communication systems is the third in the series of the seven being built by the Larsen and Toubro Shipbuilding under a contract it had signed with the Ministry of Defence in March 2015.

The first and second vessel were launched in October 2017 and January this year respectively.

At a function held in the presence of Coast Guard Additional Director General K R Nautiya at the Kattupalli Shipyard, the third OPV was formally lowered into the waters of Bay of Bengal, the release said.

After completion of extensive trials, the vessel would be inducted into the Coast Guard by March next, it said.

The vessel measuring 98 metres in length and 14.8 metres in breadth has a gross tonnage of 2,100 tonnes and can reach a maximum speed of 26 knots per hour.

The ship is fitted with two diesel engines, 30-mm automatic gun and two 12.7-mm guns with fire control systems besides a twin-engine helicopter that would enhance its operational, surveillance capability, the release said.