Samarth-class offshore patrol vessel explained

The Samarth-class offshore patrol vessel are a series of eleven offshore patrol vessels being built by Goa Shipyard Limited for the Indian Coast Guard. The construction of Samarth class was motivated by a desire to triple the Coast Guard assets in the aftermath of 2008 Mumbai attacks. They are an improvement over the earlier, with a larger beam and more powerful engines.[1] [2] The ships are being constructed in two batches—a batch of six ordered in May 2012 that was completed in December 2017 and a follow-on batch of five ordered in August 2016.

History

Following the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Indian Government initiated a program to triple the Indian Coast Guard force, assets and infrastructure.[3] Thereafter in accordance with it a 'request for information' for acquisition of six offshore patrol vessels was issued by the Ministry of Defence on 1 April 2010.[4] After technical evaluation and commercial bids a contract worth $400 million or Rs. 1800 crore was signed with GSL on 9 May 2012 to build six vessels.[3]

On 14 May 2012 GSL did the first steel cutting in its shipyard,[5] and the keel-laying ceremony of the first of the new class of offshore patrol vessels was held at Vasco da Gama on 28 September 2012.[6] [7] The second and third vessels were laid down 28 January and 11 October 2013, and the fourth on 9 January 2014.[8] The first vessel was commissioned on 10 November 2015 and all six will be commissioned by the end of 2017.[9]

In August 2016, a follow-on consisting of five patrol vessels was placed for INR 20 billion. The follow-on vessels will have a greater indigenous content of 70% compared to the 62% of the previous batch.[10]

Sachet the first OPV was launched on 21 February 2019 and commissioned on 15 May 2020 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh by video conferencing.[11]

Sujeet the second OPV from the second batch was handed to Indian Coast Guard on 12 November 2020 and later commissioned on 15 December 2020.[12]

Sajag the third OPV was delivered ahead of time on 16 March 2021. The ship was commissioned by NSA Ajit Doval on May 29, 2021.[13] [14]

Sarthak was delivered ahead of schedule and was commissioned in the Indian Coast Guard on 28 October, 2021.[15]

Saksham the last ship of the project was delivered ahead of schedule on 8 February, 2022. All 5 ships of the Fleet 2 were delivered ahead of schedule.[16]

Description

The class is 105m (344feet) long with a displacement of 2,350 tonnes. Features include Integrated Bridge System, Integrated Machinery Control System, Power Management System and High Power External Fire Fighting System. They are designed to carry one twin engine Light Helicopter and five high speed boats including two Palfinger[17] QRIBs for fast boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The class is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to combat oil spill contamination at sea.[18]

Service history

On 17 July 2024, Indian Coast Guard carried out a rescue operation of the Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Aashni. The boat with 11 crew and around 80 nautical miles from Kochi, Kerala faced heavy rain and challenging weather conditions. Due to loss of propulsion and flooding from a hull rupture close to the keel, the vessel was in a serious situation. A Dornier 228 surveillance aircraft of the ICG located the IFB on the night of 16 July 2024. ICGS Saksham, a Samarth-class OPV, was immediately diverted towards its location after receiving an order from the ICG District Headquarters No 4 (Kerala & Mahe). Eventually, ICGS Abhinav, an Aadesh-class patrol vessel, was also deployed aong with HAL Dhruv. The techinical team of ICG assisted in the de-flooding operations and rescued the crew members and the distressed the vessel. After the culmination of the operation, the boat was handed over to the Fisheries Department.[19]

On 19 July 2024, Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Mumbai of ICG received distress call container carrier MV Maersk Frankfurt 50 nm off Karwar about a major fire onboard. Immediately, ICGS Sahet, Sujeet and Samrat along with a Dornier and a ALH Dhruv were deployed by Coast Guard District HQ No 11 (Goa) for aerial surveillance operations. ICGS Samudra Prahari also provided support. As of 20 July, after 12 hours of effort, the fire in the front section of the ship was suppressed but the fire in the midship section was ablaze. ICG is preparing for the provision of Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) bags and balls to support firefighting operations.[20] [21] As of 21 July, after 24 hours of distress call, the ship was 17 miles off Karwar and ICG was battling smoke and small fires onboard the container ship. ICG had decided to use DCP to douse the fire. One Filipino crew member died in the incident. The cause of the fire is expected to be a short circuit after which the fire spread to the cargo classified as International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) that was on board, according to a report. The ship was enroute from Mundra port, India to Colombo port, Sri Lanka.[22] On 22 July, ICG's Deputy Inspector General Bhatia confirmed that the fire is under control after using 150 kg of DCP bags from helicopters. There were no fire in the dangerous goods secrion of the ship. Small fires were still on, four vessels of ICG were near the ship and helicopters were taking routine visits. The ship was out of danger. No oil pollution is reported but adequate preparation has been taken Indian Coast Guard has asked Karnataka, Goa and Kerala to activate the pollution response mechanism.[23] [24] By 30 July, Operation Sahayata was complete and a total of five ships, one Dornier and two Dhruv helicopters were deployed for the job. More than 1200 kgs of DCP was used. Infrared images confirmed that hotspots has reduced and smoldering was reduced to one small part of the ship. There were no more pollution risks and the ship was stable and operational.[25]

Ships of the class

Yard NumberNamePennant numberKeel laidLaunchedCommissionedHome Port
Flight I
12181128 September 2012[26] 26 November 201410 November 2015[27] Goa
1219Shoor1228 January 2013 21 March 2015[28] 11 April 2016[29] Manglore
1220Sarathi1411 October 201324 April 20159 September 2016[30] [31] Kochi[32]
1221Shaunak[33] 159 January 201428 November 2015[34] [35] 21 February 2017[36] Vizag
1222 Shaurya1622 July 20145 May 2016[37] 12 August 2017[38] Chennai[39] [40]
1223Sujay178 June 2015[41] 30 November 2016[42] 21 December 2017
Flight II
1233[43] 1820 March 2017[44] 21 February 201915 May 2020[45]
1234Sujeet1929 September 2017[46] [47] 25 May 2019[48] 15 December 2020[49]
1235Sajag201 August 2018[50] 14 November 2019[51] 29 May 2021Porbandar[52]
1236Sarthak2110 November 201813 August 2020[53] 28 October 2021[54]
1237[55] Saksham2210 June 2019[56] 14 December 2020[57] 16 March 2022 [58] Goa

See also

Notes and References

  1. Mazumdar. Mrityunjoy. India's 20/20 vision: Coastguard joins the premier league. IHS Jane's Navy International. 1 May 2012. 117. 4. Jane's Information Group. Coulsdon. 2048-3457.
  2. Book: Saunders. Stephen. Commodore Stephen Saunders. Jane's Fighting Ships 2016–2017. 2016. Jane's Information Group. Coulsdon. 978-0710631855. 364. 119th. India.
  3. Web site: Goa Shipyard Signs Contract to Build Six Vessels for Indian Coast Guard . Defence Now . 2012 . 19 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160604195236/http://www.defencenow.com/news/678/goa-shipyard-signs-contract-to-build-six-vessels-for-indian-coast-guard.html . 4 June 2016.
  4. Web site: Request for information . Indian Ministry of Defence . 1 April 2010 . 19 May 2014.
  5. News: Goa Shipyard Ltd cuts steel for advanced offshore patrol vessels . . 15 May 2012 . 19 May 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120515113223/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-Shipyard-Ltd-cuts-steel-for-advanced-offshore-patrol-vessels/articleshow/13142832.cms . 15 May 2012 .
  6. News: Keel-laying ceremony of offshore patrol vessels at Goa Shipyard Ltd . The Times of India . 30 September 2012 . 19 May 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170203161134/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Keel-laying-ceremony-of-offshore-patrol-vessels-at-Goa-Shipyard-Ltd/articleshow/16607472.cms . 3 February 2017 .
  7. Web site: India: Goa Shipyard Lays Keel for Coast Guard's First OPV . World Maritime News . 1 October 2012 . 19 May 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140519130839/http://worldmaritimenews.com/archives/113913/india-goa-shipyard-lays-keel-for-coast-guards-first-opv/ . 19 May 2014 .
  8. News: Keel laid at Goa Shipyard Ltd for Coast Guard's 4th offshore patrol . The Times of India . 10 January 2014 . 19 May 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161231184514/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Keel-laid-at-Goa-Shipyard-Ltd-for-Coast-Guards-4th-offshore-patrol-vessels/articleshow/28609660.cms . 31 December 2016 .
  9. News: Coast Guard's IG reviews projects at Goa Shipyard . The Times of India . 22 March 2014 . 19 May 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140325075128/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Coast-Guards-IG-reviews-projects-at-Goa-Shipyard/articleshow/32452016.cms . 25 March 2014 .
  10. News: Mazumdar. Mrityunjoy. Indian Coast Guard commissions last of six Samarth-class OPVs. Jane's Navy International. 21 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104823/http://www.janes.com/article/76617/indian-coast-guard-commissions-last-of-six-samarth-class-opvs. 22 December 2017.
  11. Web site: Indian Coast Guard patrol vessel, 2 interceptor boats commissioned. Economic Times. 15 May 2020.
  12. Web site: GSL makes another ahead of schedule delivery of new class OPV. UNI India. 12 November 2020.
  13. Web site: GSL makes another ahead of scheduled delivery of new class OPV PSU NEWS. PSUConnect. 16 March 2021.
  14. Web site: NSA Doval to commission Indian Coast Guard's ship Sajag today. ANI. 2021-05-29.
  15. Web site: GSL delivers patrol vessel to Coast Guard ahead of schedule. Times Of India. 2021-10-03.
  16. Web site: GSL delivers 5th and last vessel of 5 CGOPV Project. PSU Connect. 2022-02-08.
  17. News: Shoor adds teeth to Coast Guard’s policing, patrolling ops . . 11 April 2016 . 11 April 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160415141721/http://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/shoor-adds-teeth-to-coast-guard%E2%80%99s-policing-patrolling-ops-english-news-1.987348 . 15 April 2016 .
  18. News: Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel Shoor commissioned . Narayan . Namboodiri . 11 April 2016 . The Times of India . 11 April 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160412201754/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-Coast-Guard-offshore-patrol-vessel-Shoor-commissioned/articleshow/51782844.cms . 12 April 2016 .
  19. Web site: 2024-07-17 . ICG rescues stranded Indian Fishing Boat, with 11 people onboard, off Kerala Coast . 2024-07-19 . Press Information Bureau.
  20. News: 12 hours on, Indian Coast Guard ships battle fire onboard Maersk Frankfurt vessel in Arabian Sea . 2024-07-20 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  21. Web site: 2024-07-20 . ICG ships fight fire on cargo vessel for over 12 hours near Karwar . 2024-07-20 . Financialexpress . en.
  22. News: 2024-07-21 . Container vessel Maersk Frankfurt still on fire: 1 crew member dead . 2024-07-21 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  23. Web site: Fire On Merchant Navy Ship Off Goa Coast Under Control, Crew Member Dead . 2024-07-22 . NDTV.com . en.
  24. News: Day 3: Fire continues aboard container Maersk Frankfurt . 2024-07-22 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  25. News: Bureau . The Hindu . 2024-07-28 . MV Maersk Frankfurt that caught fire structurally stable after 10 days of fire fighting efforts . 2024-07-30 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  26. GSL News . Goa Shipyard.
  27. News: ICGS Samarth commissioned; to boost Goa coastal security . . 10 November 2015 . 11 November 2015 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208224553/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/icgs-samarth-commissioned-to-boost-goa-coastal-security-115111001472_1.html . 8 December 2015 .
  28. Web site: Goa Shipyard readies first improved OPV for delivery to Indian Coast Guard . IHS Jane's Defence Weekly . Ridzwan . Rahmat . 20 September 2015 . 27 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160106142202/http://www.janes.com/article/54675/goa-shipyard-readies-first-improved-opv-for-delivery-to-indian-coast-guard . 6 January 2016.
  29. Web site: Goa Shipyard delivers second improved Sankalp-class OPV to Indian Coast Guard . Ridzwan . Rahmat . 1 April 2016 . IHS Jane's Defence Weekly . 1 April 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170213133948/http://www.janes.com/article/59198/goa-shipyard-delivers-second-improved-sankalp-class-opv-to-indian-coast-guard . 13 February 2017.
  30. News: Union Home minister launches ICGS Saarthi at Goa . 9 September 2016 . The Times of India . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170518012657/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Union-Home-minister-launches-ICGS-Saarthi-at-Goa/articleshow/54220273.cms . 18 May 2017 .
  31. Web site: Rajnath Singh commissions Coast Guard Ship Sarathi, terms maritime terrorism a major threat: Rajnath . . 9 September 2016 . 9 September 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160914161850/http://www.firstpost.com/india/rajnath-singh-commissions-coast-guard-ship-sarathi-terms-maritime-terrorism-a-major-threat-rajnath-2997870.html . 14 September 2016 .
  32. News: Rajnath Singh commissions offshore patrolling vessel Sarathi . . 9 September 2016 . 9 September 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171009035052/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/logistics/rajnath-singh-commissions-offshore-patrolling-vessel-sarathi/article9090991.ece . 9 October 2017 .
  33. News: State-of-the-art patrol vessel added to Coast Guard fleet . 8 February 2017 . The Times of India . 11 February 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170212121341/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/state-of-the-art-patrol-vessel-added-to-coast-guard-fleet/articleshow/57027765.cms . 12 February 2017 .
  34. Web site: Fourth new generation OPV built by GSL for coast guard launched . 29 November 2015 . . 4 January 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20151212215749/http://daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=370327 . 12 December 2015 .
  35. News: GSL delivers fourth patrol vessel for Indian Coast Guard . 28 November 2015 . The Times of India . 4 January 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161230195149/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/GSL-delivers-fourth-patrol-vessel-for-Indian-Coast-Guard/articleshow/49954596.cms . 30 December 2016 .
  36. News: Indian Coast Guard ship 'Shaunak' commissioned at Vasco by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu . 21 February 2017 . . 22 February 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170222113510/http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/indian-coast-guard-ship-shaunak-commissioned-at-vasco-by-railway-minister-suresh-prabhu/561058/ . 22 February 2017 .
  37. News: Indian Coast Guard ship 'Shaurya' kisses water for the first time at Goa Shipyard . Newton . Sequeira . 5 May 2016 . The Times of India . 9 May 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160728000656/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Indian-Coast-Guard-ship-Shaurya-kisses-water-for-the-first-time-at-Goa-Shipyard/articleshow/52129944.cms . 28 July 2016 .
  38. News: ICGS 'Shaurya' commissioned, Dharmendra Pradhan calls it 'joyous moment' for India. www.outlookindia.com/. 2017-08-12. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170813005826/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/icgs-shaurya-commissioned-dharmendra-pradhan-calls-it-joyous-moment-for-india/1122406. 2017-08-13.
  39. News: ICGS 'Shaurya' commissioned, Dharmendra Pradhan calls it 'joyous moment' for India. 2017-08-13. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170813105430/http://www.abplive.in/india-news/icgs-shaurya-commissioned-dharmendra-pradhan-calls-it-joyous-moment-for-india-565070?ani. 2017-08-13.
  40. Web site: June 8, 2020. V. . Ayyappan . Indian Coast Guard vessel ICGS Sujay to be based out of Chennai . 2020-06-14. The Times of India. en.
  41. News & Events Details . Goa Shipyard . 1 April 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150630041622/http://www.goashipyard.co.in/NewsEventsDetails.aspx?id=%7B0049-0102-0151-0128-0161-0192-0225-0256%7D . 30 June 2015.
  42. News: Coast Guard gets 6th OPV from GSL . 1 December 2016 . The Times of India . 5 December 2016 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170130232034/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/coast-guard-gets-6th-opv-from-gsl/articleshow/55714954.cms . 30 January 2017.
  43. Web site: Sitharaman launches vessel, asks defence PSUs to expand market. EconomicTimes. 21 February 2019.
  44. Keel For First Ship of the 5 CGOPV Project Laid In GSL. Goa Shipyard. 20 March 2017. 23 March 2017.
  45. Web site: Indian Coast Guard patrol vessel, 2 interceptor boats commissioned. Economic Times. 15 May 2020.
  46. News: ‘Quantum of indigenisation up in GSL’s new vessels’. The Times of India. 2017-10-09. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009035052/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/quantum-of-indigenisation-up-in-gsls-new-vessels/articleshow/60930963.cms. 2017-10-09.
  47. Web site: Goa Shipyard Lays Keel For 2nd Vessel Of New Class OPVS. goashipyard.co.in. en-US. 2017-10-09. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171009035053/https://goashipyard.co.in/goa-shipyard-lays-keel-for-2nd-vessel-of-new-class-opvs/. 2017-10-09.
  48. News: Rahmat . Ridzwan . Goa Shipyard launches 10th improved Sankalp-class OPV for Indian Coast Guard . Jane's Navy International . 29 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190529103325/https://www.janes.com/article/88843/goa-shipyard-launches-10th-improved-sankalp-class-opv-for-indian-coast-guard . 29 May 2019.
  49. 1338679140795338752. IndiaCoastGuard. IndiaCoastGuard ship ‘Sujeet’, second in the series of 05 OPV indigenously designed & built by M/s Goa shipyard Limited, in line with PM’s vision of makeinindia will be commissioned today at GSL Goa by Shri Raj Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Defence Production).. 15 December 2020.
  50. Web site: Goa Shipyard lays keel for 3rd vessel of new class OPVs. 2 August 2018. United News of India.
  51. News: GSL launches coast guard offshore patrol vessel ‘Sajag’ . Newton . Sequeira . 14 November 2019 . The Times of India . 14 November 2019 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191114121953/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/gsl-launches-coast-guard-offshore-patrol-vessel-sajag/articleshow/72055204.cms . 14 November 2019.
  52. Web site: Goa: Coast Guard commissions patrol vessel ICGS Sajag. Times Of India. 2021-06-12.
  53. Web site: Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sarthak’ launched . PIB. 13 August 2020.
  54. Web site: Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’ dedicated to the Nation . PIB. 2021-10-28.
  55. shripadynaik . 1138018447520985089 . 10 June 2019 . Laid keel for offshore patrol vessel at 5th CG OPV yard 1237 .
  56. News: Shripad extends support to Goa Shipyard . oHeraldo . 11 June 2019.
  57. IndiaCoastGuard. 1338330868633329666. OPV Saksham (Yard ‘1237’) last in the series of 05 OPVs indigenously designed & built by M/s Goa shipyard Limited, in line with PM’s vision of Make in India will be launched today at Goa . 14 December 2020.
  58. Web site: Indian Coast Guard’s fifth offshore patrol vessel Saksham commissioned in Goa. India Today. 2022-03-17.

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