Coastguard vessel Savitribai Phule to be commissioned on Oct 28

Panaji, Oct 24 (UNI) The state-of-the-art Indian CoastGuard ship Savitribai Phule, the fifth and last in the series of extra fast patrol vessels,will be commissioned by defence ministry Secretary (Finance) V K Mishra on October 28 at the Goa Shipyard Limited.

The GSL had built the 265 tonne ship with a maximum range of 1500 nautical miles that can attain speeds in excess of 35 knots.

Its Global Maritime Distress Safety Systems console enables receipt of distress calls from fishermen and other merchant marine vessels at high seas thereby facilitating search and rescue missions effectively.

This is part of the Indian Coast guard's plan to induct high speed vessels, bigger platforms and specialised vessels in phases to augment its existing fleet to play a major role in defending the maritime borders and the exclusive economic zone, according to official sources here today.

These vessels would be used to enhance efficacy of the coast guard in curbing piracy, apprehending drug traffickers and preventing infiltration of insurgents.

The ship, manned by five officers and a 32 member crew,will be based at Mangalore port under the operational and administrative command of the western region headed by inspector general A Rajasekhar.

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