(Aditya Shaw, Intern Journalist): ICGS ‘Kanaklata Barua’, a fast-moving patrol vessel of the Indian Coast Guard was inducted into service on Wednesday. The vessel has been built by the public sector company Gardenreach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. A statement from GRSE stated that the program for induction of the vessel was done through video conference, which included Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, Jeevesh Nandan, Indian Coast Guard, and senior officers of GRSE. RRS Admiral (Retd) VK Saxena, Managing Director of GRSE was also present during this period.
According to the statement, the ICGS Kanaklata Barua is the last ship of five Rapid Patrol Vessels (FPV) series built by the GRSE for the Indian Coast Guard, which was commissioned on June 9. The statement said the FVPs are mid-range surface-mounted vessels with a length of 50 meters and a width of 7.5 meters and weighing about 308 tonnes.
“This powerful and fuel-efficient vessel can be used for multi-purpose operations such as patrolling, smuggling, and anti-poaching operations and rescue operations,” the official said, adding that the vessel has a maximum speed of 34 knots and 1500 nautical miles. Can monitor area up to miles. The vessel has three engines.
The official said that GRSE has designed it completely to suit the needs of the Indian Coast Guard. Earlier in the series, GRSE had assigned vessels named ICGS Priyadarshini, ICGS Annie Besant, and ICGS Amrit Kaur to the Coast Guard.