Goa Shipyard Limited launched Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Shaurya‘ at Vasco, the fifth of a series of six off-shore patrol vessels that the Coast Guard had tasked the Vasco defence public sector undertaking to build. The vessel is capable of cruising at a speed of 23 knots and has a range of 6,000 nautical miles. It will be fitted with state-of-the-art machinery like the integrated machinery control system and integrated bridge system. Once sea trials are done, it will be delivered to the Coast Guard.

The indigenously designed ship is capable of search and rescue operations, pollution control and external firefighting and will be deployed for ocean surveillance and for monitoring sea lanes of communication. ICGS Shaurya will be commissioned into service in early 2017.

Did You Know?

• Indian Coast Guard protects India’s maritime interests and enforces maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
• The Indian Coast Guard was formally established on 18 August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of theParliament of India as an independent Armed force of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
• The Coast Guard works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue(Customs) and the Central and State police forces.