The Indian Coast Guard today commissioned a high speed interceptor boat C-424 at the port here to strengthen coastal security in West Bengal.
"The ship will add more strength to the Coast Guard's fleet in West Bengal and will patrol the vital Bay of Bengal," Inspector General K R Nautiyal, Coast Guard Commander North East, said after commissioning the ship at a ceremony at the Coast Guard Jetty here.
With this new addition, Coast Guard assets in West Bengal now include three fast patrol vessels, four hovercrafts and two interceptor boats, besides a Radar Station and ACV forward operating base at Frazerganj, Nautiyal said.
Commanded by Deputy Commandant Mudit Kumar Singh, the 27 m long ship, built at L&T Surat, can achieve speed of 45 knots.
"Equipped with latest navigational and communication and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun as main armament, the ship is also fitted with night vision and infrared devices for day and night surveillance," Nautiyal said.
"The ship will enhance coastal surveillance and help in conducting relief operations during disasters in the Bay of Bengal," he said.
The Indian Coast Guard has been constantly increasing its footprint in West Bengal and Odisha in the last four years, with induction of ships and aircrafts to keep the Bengal and Odisha coast safe, Nautiyal added.
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