Defence Minister Antony commissions ICGS SANKALP'

Panaji, May 20 (UNI) Defence Minister Mr A K Antonycommissioned ICGS ''Sankalp'', the 5th Advanced offshore petrol Vessel (AOPV) of the Indian Coast Guard, at a ceremony held at Mormugao Port trust, Vasco-da-Gama, in south Goa today.

''Sankalp'', the biggest vessel designed and indigenously built by Goa Shipyard Limited, provides an excellent platform for command, control and communication.

The vessel is fitted with most advanced equipments and state-of-the-art Navigation and Communication mode automated by an integrated Bridge system (IBS), integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS), high power external fire fighting system and two Indigenously built Gun Mounts.

The ship is designed to carry one twin-engine helicopter and five speedboats and is suitable for patrolling and policing maritime Zones, embarkation and operation of ALH Helicopter for long-range all time search and rescue and surveillance, pollution control, fisheries protection and external fire fighting. This series of vessels will be a boon to fishermen and seafaring community as they enable the Coast Guard to respond to distress calls from fishermen at high seas facilitating rescue mission in an effective manner.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by Vice-Admiral R F Contractor, AVSM NM Director General Indian Coast Guard, Goa Assembly speaker Mr Pratapsingh Rane, State Revenue Minister Mr Jose Philip D Souza, dignitaries from Navy, coast Guard and state Authorities.

UNI SRN SR GL VC1922