‘Vishwast' to be inducted into Coast Guard fleet

ICGS Vishwast, the indigenously built, new class OPV (offshore patrol vessel), will be inducted into the eastern command of the Coast Guard at a welcome ceremony at the Chennai Port Trust on Wednesday.

‘Vishwast' will be the heaviest and most advanced vessel in the eastern fleet — at 90 metres and displacing 2400 tons.

The fifth offshore patrol vessel to join the eastern Coast Guard fleet, it is propelled by 9,100 KW twin diesel engines. At economical speed, it has an endurance of 4,500 nautical miles, and can stay at sea for 17 days without replenishment. The ship is designed to carry one helicopter and five high speed boats.

Coast Guard officers said that the sustenance and reach, coupled with the most modern weapons, gave ‘Vishwast' the capability of performing the role of command platform for conduct of all Coast Guard operations in the high seas and close to the coast. The helicopter and five high speed boats bring swiftness in response and extend the radius of operations and the reach to inaccessible areas.

The ship will arrive off the Chennai port early on May 19 and will berth and secure alongside the wharf at 10 a.m. Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi will participate in the induction ceremony along with the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East) A. Rajashekar

‘Vishwast,' designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited, is equipped with advanced navigational and communication sensors. Its special features include an integrated bridge system, integrated machinery control system, high power external fire fighting system and an indigenously built gun-mount.

The Infra Red Surveillance System to be installed on board will provide additional capability to detect targets at night, that otherwise could evade radar detection owing to their small size or rough weather for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, EEZ surveillance, high speed interdiction and marine pollution response missions.