Indian Coast Guard to get Interceptor for Andaman Sea

Port Blair, Jan 14 (UNI) Coast Guard Region of Andaman and Nicobar Islands will soon get a high speed, Interceptor boat C140 for surveillance, rescue and other operations, including anti-poaching, Coast Guard sources said.

''The Interceptor will be able to make 40 knots and could be pressed for any kind operations,'' Deputy Director General S P Sharma, the commander of Andaman and Nicobar Coast Guard Region told UNI today.

The CG commander said initially the high-speed boat would be placed in Campbell Bay, the Southernmost island of Indian Territory.

According to details C140 is 20 meter long and 35 tonnes in weight.

''Coast guard aims to have a base in most of the islands in this remote island chain but we fear that may lead to dilution of our strength,'' he added.

DIG Sharma said that Andaman and Nicobar CG region would also get a Chetak Helicopter soon, which would boost the survellience capacity of Coast Guard on Andaman Sea.

''Our main constraint is manpower, not boats and aircrafts,'' said the CG Commander.

Andaman and Nicobar Region of Indian Coast Guard has nearly 30 per cent share of total Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.

Hundreds of poachers are apprehended every year in this region, where Sea Cucumber and other marine produces were abundant.

Presently the Coast Guard Unit in this remote archipelago has nearly 600 men including 55 officers. Six ship, including ICGS Varad (with Helicopter landing facility), two Dornier Aircrafts and one Chetak Helicopter are also there to help these men in white to safeguard Indian Coast line.

UNI