Date:05/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070552420300.htm

Karnataka

Offshore patrol vessel launched

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: An offshore patrol vessel (OPV), indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), south Goa-based defence undertaking, was launched on Friday at GSL’s ship building yard at Vasco-da-Gama in south Goa.

Bharti Kumar, wife of Pradeep Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), launched the vessel in the presence of Mr. Pradeep Kumar, RAdm. R. F. Contractor, Director General of Coast Guard, Rajendra Singh, Inspector General (Western Region) Coast Guard, and RAdm. A.K. Handa, Chairman and Managing Director of GSL.

The vessel is designed for patrolling and policing maritime zones, search and rescue operations, maritime surveillance and anti-smuggling operation. This is the first of the new series of three OPVs being built at the Goa Shipyard for Indian Coast Guard. The 93.89-metre vessel is equipped with State-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment.