ICGS Sarathi inducted into Indian Coast Guard

Panaji: The Indian Coast Guard received a significant boost on Friday after Union home minister Rajnath Singh inducted the third 105M offshore patrol vessel, the ICGS Sarathi, into the Indian Coast Guard. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Sarathi is the largest and most advanced new generation off-shore patrol vessel.
Delivered nearly 71 days ahead of schedule, the induction of ICGS Sarathi will help the coast guard meet the increasing requirement of policing and patrolling of the Indian exclusive economic zone.
The ship has a state-of-the-art propulsion system that can propel the vessel to a speed of over 25 knots, GSL’s chairman and managing director Shekhar Mital said. The vessel’s machinery allows for ease of operation, advanced EW and electronic systems and guns, thus significantly giving the Indian Coast Guard added fire power.
“This ship is an example of India’s shipbuilding art. I would like to congratulate GSL because, while some years earlier it was known as a sick undertaking, today it has earned a high reputation with the way it has brought about an improvement,” Singh said in his speech. “Coast Guard is the central pillar of India’s coastal security architecture. The Union government’s comprehensive coastal security scheme is working to strengthen India’s coastal security.