ICGS (Indian Coast Guard Ship) Abheek, the second Fast Patrol Vessel of the Indian Coast Guard designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) was commissioned here today by Shri AK Antony, Defence Minister. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Antony said that as the resources on land are getting depleted at a rapid pace, nations are turning to oceans for sustenance. Protecting and policing the waters against a wide spectrum of threats is the top most priority he said. The Coastal Surveillance Network and various other measures are in an advanced stage of implementation to strengthen coastal security apparatus. Dwelling on the several challenges facing the shipbuilding industry, Shri Antony, expressed satisfaction that CSL has designed and delivered such a fine ship. He also conveyed his best wishes to the Commanding Officer and crew of the ship. Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, Director General of Indian Coast Guard who addressed the gathering said that the ship is the 23rd commissioning that the Indian Coast Guard has achieved this year, which is not only a testimony to the country’s ship building capabilities, but also the fast paced modernization of the Indian Coast Guard fleet which today boasts of more than 90 ships and craft and over 60 aircraft.
ICGS Abheek, commanded by Commandant Manoj Kumar Negi has a crew of 39 personnel and would be based at Chennai. Propelled by water jet with a maximum speed of 33 Knots and an endurance of 1500 nautical miles, the ship is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation. The ship has an integrated gun mount with indigenous fire control system. Prof KV Thomas, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, other people’s representatives from the area, Commodore Kartik Subramaniam (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of CSL, senior officials of Indian Coast Guard, CSL, Indian Navy and others attended the function.
