LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF 7TH OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL(OPV) YARD- 45007 FOR INDIAN COAST GUARD, KATTUPALLI, CHENNAI
Kattupalli, Chennai 6 October 2020
LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF 7TH OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL(OPV) YARD- 45007 FOR INDIAN COAST GUARD, KATTUPALLI, CHENNAI
In an impressive ceremony held at L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli near Chennai, 7th Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) (Yard-45007) was launched by Smt Hema Somanathan, Spouse of DR TV Somanathan, IAS, Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance on 06 Oct 2020.
The occasion is an auspicious moment, as the ship touches water for the first time, where she has to spend the rest of her life. DR TV Somanathan, IAS, Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India was the Chief Guest for the launching ceremony. The ceremony was witnessed by DG K Natarajan, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard and Inspector General S Paramesh, PTM, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (East).
The OPV launched is the last of the series of 07 OPVs being built by L&T Shipbuilding under the contract signed between Ministry of Defence and L&T, Ltd on 30 Mar 2015. This is the first time that the contract for building an OPV class of Vessel has been awarded to a Private Shipyard, i.e. Larsen and Toubro, Ltd in line with the Government’s policy of “Make in India”. The 7th OPV launched today is likely to be inducted into Indian Coast Guard in Mar 2021 after completion of extensive trials and testing for the equipment and machineries fitted onboard.
The length of the OPVs is 98 mtrs and breadth is 14.8 mtrs with gross tonnage of 2100 tons. The endurance of the vessel is 5000 Nautical miles at cruising speed. The cruising speed of the ship is 12-14 knots and the maximum speed of 26 knots can be achieved. The ship is fitted with 02 diesel driven engines of 9000 kw each with low level consumption, high TBO and complying to IMO tier-II norms. The ship will be fitted with 30mm 2A42 gun and two 12.7 mm gun and equipped with Integral Twin Engine Helicopter which will enhance its operational, surveillance, search and rescue capability.
These OPVs would be utilised for day and night patrol/surveillance along with anti-terrorist/anti-smuggling operations in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and coastal security. The Vessels will have two Navigation Radars and ultra-modern technology including sophisticated navigational and latest communication system which are capable of operating in tropical conditions. The expected life span of the ship is more than 25 years. The ship would be manned by 102 crew, including 14 Officers and 88 Subordinate Officers and enrolled personnel.
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PS/SK/AK/10/2020
Photo Captions:
- Yard 45007
- DG K Natarajan, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard addressing the gathering on the occasion of launching ceremony of 7th Offshore Patrol Vessel(OPV) for Indian Coast Guard at Kattupalli, Chennai on October 6, 2020
- DR TV Somanathan, IAS, Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India addressing the gathering on the occasion on the occasion of launching ceremony of 7th Offshore Patrol Vessel(OPV) for Indian Coast Guard at Kattupalli, Chennai on October 6, 2020.
- Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) (Yard-45007) was launched by Smt Hema Somanathan, Spouse of DR TV Somanathan, IAS, Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance on the occasion of launching ceremony of 7th Offshore Patrol Vessel(OPV) for Indian Coast Guard at Kattupalli, Chennai on October 6, 2020.
- Yard 45007
Despite the restriction and constraints faced by Industries across the world due to COVID-19, the coordinated efforts of ICG Over seeing Team with L&T Shipbuilding have resulted in timely laun ch ing of the Vessel. This mi lestone will ensure timely delivering of the Vessel to ICG which is the need of hour in todays existing secu rity scenario.
The Chief Guest brought out that, the Indian Coast Guard is on the path of rapid expansion which requires large number of state of art ships and aircraft to strengthen the maritime security mechanism in emerging security scenario. Assets requirement are being met by adding new ships and replenishment of ageing existing OPV class of ships in phased manner which have been inducted 30-35 yrs ago. The Chief Guest also acknowledged the timely delivery of OPVs by L&T to ICG.
