Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) 'Sarthak' – fourth in the series of five Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) being built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the ICG – was commissioned in Goa today.
ICGS Sarthak will be based at Porbandar in Gujarat and operate on India's western seaboard under the operational and administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (Northwest).
The indigenously built ship's induction gives a significant boost to the maritime safety and security of the nation as these OPVs are multi-mission platforms capable of undertaking concurrent operations.
The 105-meter-long ship displacing 2,450 tons is propelled by two 9,100 kilowatt diesel engines designed to attain a maximum speed of 26 knots with an endurance of 6000 nautical miles.
ICGS Sarthak state-of-the-art indigenously built #MakeInIndia OPV by @goashipyardltd commissioned today by DG K Natarajan, PVSM,PTM,TM, DGICG in presence of COMCG(W), DDG(P&P), CMD(GSL). Sarthak will provide significant impetus to @IndiaCoastGuard maritime surveillance prowess. pic.twitter.com/ZzWVyZbJLl
— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) October 28, 2021
The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, machinery, sensors and weapons which enables it to function as a command platform and undertake mandated Coast Guard charter of duties including search and rescue, combating maritime crimes and preserving and protecting the marine environment.
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ICGS Sarthak is commanded by Deputy Inspector General MM Syed who will be assisted by 11 officers and 110 men.
It is designed to embark and carry a twin-engine helicopter, four high speed boats and one inflatable boat for swift boarding and search and rescue operations. The ship is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.
Built and designed indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) in line with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Make in India', ICGS Sarthak has about 70 per cent indigenous content, thus providing the necessary fillip to the Indian shipbuilding industry.
The Indian Coast Guard has been a pioneer in inducting indigenous assets which has enabled it to remain operationally available throughout the year.
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