BL reported that Hindusthan Shipyard Ltd launched an inshore patrol vessel for the Indian Coast Guard, the first of a series of 5. The vessel christened Rani Abbakka was launched by Ms Harkiran Basra wife of Mr SPS Basra inspector general, Commander (Eastern region) of the Coast Guard.

According to Mr Naresh Kumar CMD of HSL, it is a high speed vessel, built of light steel hull and fitted with water jet propulsion system to get a speed of 34 knots.

Mr Kumar said “HSL is building 5 such vessels for the Coast Guard at a cost of INR 231.19 crore and this particular vessel will be commissioned by August. The designs have been finalized for the vessels and all the required materials are ready. There will be no production delays.” He said all the vessels would be delivered within a year.

He said “Built to international standards, these vessels will greatly enhance the surveillance capacities of the Coast Guard. If further orders are placed by the Union Defense Ministry, we will build and deliver the vessels. A production line has been set up for parallel construction of three ships at a time.”

He added that it was vessel no. 112 launched from the slipways of HSL. HSL has currently orders worth more than INR 1,000 crore on hand. He thanked the Coast Guard and other agencies involved in the construction of the ship and also the staff and workers of HSL. Commander Mr Basra said HSL had come a long way, after overcoming many hurdles, and was in a position to build and deliver such vessels. He assured HSL the support of the Coast Guard. Senior officials of the HSL and the Coast Guard attended the function.

(Sourced from Business Line)