Offshore patrol vessel ‘Shaunak’ has joined the Eastern Region fleet, the Coast Guard said on Sunday. The 105-metre-long vessel can travel up to a speed of 23 knots an hour. It is commanded by DIG T Shashi Kumar and manned by 14 sailors and officers.

The induction of the vessel in Coast Guard Eastern region would give a fillip to the maritime protection in the Eastern coast, a release said. The vessel was commissioned by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu in Goa last month and a reception was organised at the Chennai Port Trust on its arrival on Sunday, it said.