ICG's 'Vaibhav', an Offshore Patrol Vessel, Commissioned at tuticorin by DG

The Indian Coast Guard Director General, Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, today commissioned the ICG Ship Vaibhav, the 3rd in the series of 90 meters class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) at Tuticorin.

Vaibhav has been designed and built indigenously by M/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and is fitted with the state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machineries.

Here are some important features and Capablities of Vaibhav:

• An Integrated Bridge System(IBS)

• Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS)

• Power Management System (PMS)

• High Power External Fire Fighting System (ABS Fi-Fi Class-1)

• Contains one indigenous Close Range Naval Gun (CRN-91) along with an optical fire control system

• This ship can carry one Helicopter and five high speed boats for Search and Rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol

• It is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to combat oil spill at sea

• Fitted with advanced Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) makes it an apt platform to carryout search and rescue operations in Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR)

• The ship draws 1940 tons and is propelled by two diesel engines to attain a maximum speed of 26 Knots and,

• At economical speed, it has an endurance of 4500 nautical miles and can stay at sea for 15 days without any replenishment.

With its alimentation and reach paired with the latest and modern equipment and systems, makes her capable to perform the role of a command platform and accomplish all Coast Guard charter of duties.

ICGS Vaibhav, will be manned by 10 Officers and 84 men under the command of Deputy Inspector General Sanjiv Trikha. The ship will be based at Tuticorin under the administrative and operational control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (East).

The ship on joining Coast Guard Fleet will be deployed extensively for the EEZ surveillance and such other duties as enlisted in Coast Guard Charter. The vessel will be exploited extensively in the Eastern region, more so, in the sensitive Gulf of Mannar and up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with Sri Lanka, to safeguard the maritime interests of India.