Porbandar, April 2 The Indian Coast Guard has relocated its offshore patrol vessel, ICGS Shaurya, from Chennai to Porbandar, effective April 1, to enhance operational capabilities along the strategically important Gujarat coast.
This move underscores the Coast Guard's continued commitment to ensuring safety, security, and environmental protection in the maritime domain, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
"Relocating the vessel to Porbandar will strengthen coastal and offshore security along the Gujarat coast, enhance surveillance in the Arabian Sea, and improve response capabilities for safeguarding national maritime interests. It will also help protect the interests of fishermen operating off the Gujarat coast," the force said.
ICGS Shaurya, an offshore patrol vessel of the Samarth class, designed and built indigenously by Goa Shipyard Limited, measures approximately 105 meters in length and 13.6 meters in width, with a displacement of around 2,300 tonnes. It can achieve speeds up to 23 knots (nautical miles per hour) and has an endurance of about 20 days, according to the ICG statement.
"With an operational range of nearly 6,000 nautical miles, it is suitable for sustained offshore operations. Equipped with modern navigation, communication, and surveillance systems, as well as integrated platform management systems, the vessel is armed with a CRN-91 main armament gun," the statement said.
ICGS Shaurya can also carry a twin-engine helicopter, such as the HAL Dhruv, and deploy high-speed boats for rapid response operations.
Designed as a multi-mission platform, the vessel will undertake maritime surveillance, search and rescue, anti-smuggling, and law enforcement operations, as well as contribute to marine environmental protection efforts, the statement informed.