VASCO
The keel laying ceremony for two Pollution Control Vessels being constructed by GSL for Indian Coast Guard was held at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) on Monday.
Indian Coast Guard Director General V S Pathania presided over the event and laid the keels for the two PCVs.
GSL CMD Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay briefed Pathania on the progress of the construction and design of these vessels which have been fully undertaken in-house by the GSL design team. These vessels specially mandated for pollution response and which have been designed for the first time in India will also have significant indigenous content.
The primary role of the Pollution Control Vessel is to carry out dedicated oil spill response operations in the vast EEZ of the country and also around the various neighbouring islands and operation of one integral twin-engine helicopter. These vessels are fitted with state-of-the-art pollution control and response facilities.
The vessel which has been fully designed by GSL Design Team will have an overall length of 114.5 metres, a breadth of 16.5 metres and a draft of 4.5 metres and is capable of carrying a strength of 129 personnel onboard (14 Officers and 115 Sailors).
The maximum speed of the vessel will be 22 Knots with an endurance of 6,000 Nautical Miles. The vessel will be equipped with four sets of Ocean Boom, five sets of Near Shore Boom, eight Skimmers, and five Recovery Oil Stowage Portable Barges for pollution control equipment.
On Monday, another significant feat was achieved by GSL with the Plate Cutting for the 08 FPV Project. The contract for 8 Fast Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast guard was signed on March 28.
These FPVs, specially designed by GSL for the Coast Guard, are medium-range weapon-fitted surface vessels capable of operation in Coastal waters and around island territories to protect offshore assets and island territories in and around Indian waters.
The ship will be equipped with two diesel engines of approx 2880 KW (IMO Tier II compliant type-approved engine). The plate cutting ceremony marks the physical construction of these vessels which are scheduled to be delivered by 2024 onwards.
