On January 12,2020 The two Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) namely Annie Besant and Amrit Kaur, second and third in the series of five Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), were commissioned and deployed along the eastern coast by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar at Khidderpore park, Kolkata, West Bengal.
With a target of becoming a $ 5 trillion economy by 2024, $ 250 billion will be coming from the maritime zone. The Maritime economy constitutes nearly 5% of the world economy.
About Annie Besant:
i.ICGS Annie Besant was named in honour of Annie Besant philanthropist, theosophist, prolific author and supporter of Indian freedom struggle.
ii.The ship will be based at Chennai, Tamil Nadu under the operational and administrative control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region(East). It is commanded by Commandant (JG) Sunny Deo.
About Amrit Kaur:
i.ICGS Amrit Kaur derives the name from Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, who belonged to the ruling family of Kapurthala, Punjab.
ii.She took an active part in the ‘Salt Satyagraha’ and ‘Quit India Movement’, and served Independent India as it first Health Minister.
iii.She was a founder member of All India Women’s Conference and founder President of Indian Council for Child Welfare.
iv.The ship will be based at Haldia, West Bengal under the operational and administrative control of the Commander,Coast Guard Region (North East). It is commanded by Commandant (JG) Himanshu Mishra.
Key Points:
i.The two ICG fast patrol vessels designed and manufactured by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE) kolkata, West Bengal.
ii.Both ships are 48.9 metres long and 7.5 metres wide, with a displacement of 308 tonnes.
iii.The ships are capable of achieving a maximum speed of 34 knots, powered by MTU (Motoren- und Turbinen-Union) 4000 series engines and propelled by three 71s type III Kamewa water jets by Rolls Royce.
iv.They are fitted with state-of-the-art technology, navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machinery and also capable of undertaking multifaceted tasks such as surveillance,search and rescue and medical evacuation.
v.The ships are also equipped with Bofors 40/60 guns and 12.7 mm SRCGs (Stabilising Remote Controlled Gun) for enhancing the fighting efficiency of the ship.
vi.The ship carry one RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) and a Gemini boat each for swift boarding and search and rescue operations.
vii.Director General (DG) of Indian Coast Guard K.Natarajan, Additional Director General and Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard) V.S. Pathania, and other officials from Central and State agencies were present during the ceremony.
