GSL built fast patrol vessel launched

VASCO: A fast patrol vessel built for the Mauritius Coast Guard was ceremoniously launched on Thursday at Goa Shipyard Limited by Ella Mital, the wife of  RAdm Shekhar Mital, CMD of GSL. 

Named as CGS Valiant, it is the second fast patrol vessel built for the Mauritius Coast Guard

K Napaul, the Consul and Head of Consulate of Mauritius at Mumbai was the chief guest for the function. R Adm Shekhar Mital, CMD of GSL, officers from Sri Lankan Navy, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard were also present amongst other prominent dignitaries. 

Addressing the gathering, K Napaul lauded the excellent work being done in the shipyard. She said that the delivery of the vessel on time was one of the milestones which would be written in red ink in the history. The second ship, CGS Valiant would further add a new dimension to the country’s maritime capability, she said. 

Mital said, “Contract of the vessel was signed on May 17, 2014, while the keel of this vessel was laid on May 22, 2015. In line with the track record of GSL, for timely delivery of quality ships, this vessel will also be delivered much ahead of its contractual schedule of June 2017, similar to the first ship of the series.” He added vessel will be ready for delivery by April 2017.

This vessel is designed for coastal patrolling, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, anti-drug surveillance, anti-poaching operations, and search and rescue operations. The vessel is 50 meters long with full displacement of 288 tonnes. The ship has an endurance of approximately 2000 nautical miles at cruising speed of 12-14 knots. The vessel is fitted with 30 mm CRN-91 Gun, 12.7 mm HMGs & 7.62 mm MMGs besides state-of-the-art Navigation and Communication equipment and is capable of achieving a high speed of 35 knots.

GSL is largest exporter of ships from Indian subcontinent and is presently executing export orders worth Rs 1200 crore.  GSL prides itself in timely delivery of ships at ‘fixed cost’ and enjoys very strong execution skills. The yard is growing rapidly and is expected to increase its turnover from Rs 725 crore to over Rs 1000 crore this year, which will further move up to Rs 1500 crore in 2018.