Coast Guard gets another interceptor boat
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, DEC 5
To further strengthen the coastal security of Goa, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has deployed interceptor boat ICG ship C-148 at Coast Guard fleet in Goa.
South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha along with Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) Chairman P C Parida, DIG N V Narsimha and others welcomed the ship in Goa at MPT on Sunday morning.
However, this would be a second ship in this class that will secure the Goan coast area, as earlier C-147 is on duty, besides one more patrol vessel is on regular guard in the deep sea.
Addressing the gathering, Goa Command DIG N V Narsimha said post 26/11 terror attack, the ICG is pursuing an urgent enhancement of its surveillance capabilities to meet its enhance tasks and responsibilities effectively.
“The present force level and manpower are planned to be doubled by graduated procurement with proportionate infrastructure development and augmentation of trained manpower,” said Narsimha.
“This class of ship has been successfully used in augmenting the coastal patrolling of Gujarat coast in the west and in Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar in the east and have been used effectively in search and rescue operation at sea,” said Narsimha.
MP Francisco Sardinha said speedy enhancement of procurement process of ICG to keep pace with growing security threats is appreciable and thanked ICG for enhancing security in Goa. He also urged the people to cooperate with the security agencies.
The ICG Ship C-148 interceptor boat, which is 28 mtrs long, is fitted with the state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment and medium range armament.
It is designed for high speed interception with an economic speed of 25 knots, which can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots for responding to urgent calls at sea.
The interceptor boat is commanded by K J Singh along with 12 enrolled personnel to enhance the coastal surveillance of Goa.
