Coast Guard Launch First Pollution Control Vessel

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Further enhancing the pollution control capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard, its first dedicated Pollution Control Vessel was today launched at Surat, an official spokesperson said here.

Built by the Surat-based ABG Shipyard, the vessel -- named 'Samudra Prahari' (Ocean Guard) -- was launched by Thrity R Contractor, wife of Vice Admiral RF Contractor, the Coast Guard Director General, at a simple ceremony there.

The Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) -- having a designed speed of 20.5 knots -- is 94m long with a displacement of 3300 Tonnes and maximum draught of 4.5 metres.

The vessel is capable of recovering and storing 300 Tonnes of spilled oil from the sea. In addition, it can continuously recover and transfer spilled oil through floating barges.

The vessel can also carry out other Coast Guard duties at sea. It can operate Chetak, Advanced Light Helicopter 'Dhruv' and SeaKing helicopters from the deck including stowage of Chetak helicopter.

It is fitted with a state-of-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for centralised monitoring and control of machinery and other systems.

This vessel is expected to be completed and delivered to the Coast Guard within the next six months.

Subsequently, two more vessels are likely to be completed and delivered thereafter in an interval of six months each, said the spokesperson.

UNI