TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
VASCO: Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at Goa on Wednesday evening decommissioned its Coast Guard (CG) ship which was constructed on May 20, 1994, at Anderson Marines Pvt Ltd, Sancoale, after serving for 20 years to make way for new and bigger ICG ships.
Speaking on the occasion, Indian Coast Guard at Goa DIG M V Baadkar said C-133 is the third in the 10 series of interceptor boats, which is similar to British Archer Class boats.
“Commissioning of C-133 was the beginning of small ship culture in the ICG and small boats now have become the backbone of the Coast Guard operations. The CG ship ‘C-133’ was involved in various search and rescue operations, anti-poaching, anti-smuggling and medical evacuations saving precious lives at sea,” informed Baadkar.
Baadkar further said the nation is going through a crucial phase of development and the coastal belt of India is growing at a rapid rate as compared to hinterland. “The economic hubs and SEZs with associated sea ports are mushrooming all along the coast,” he added.
“Most of the power generation plants including the nuclear installations are being developed close to the coast. Associated with the growth of these coastal assets, the security infrastructure requires matching the pace,” he said.
DIG Baadkar further added that as part of the Coast Guard capacity building programme, the Coast Guard is in the process of activating many new stations besides inducting more ships and aircrafts.
“Presently, the Coast Guards are having about 133 surface crafts and 62 aircrafts and the new assets will give boost to the capability of Coast Guards on the western front,” said and complemented the team serving on the CG, C-133 for maintaining and successfully operating the CG, C-133 till the last date of its service at sea.
