Port Blair, July 23: The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar was commissioned on 20 July 12 and based at Visakhapatnam. The primary role of the 95-metre long ship will be to tackle marine pollution in the Bay of Bengal and it is the second Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), out of three PCVs being built by the ABG Shipyard, Surat. The Pollution Response Mechanism at Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be strengthened with the availability of a well equipped PCV on eastern sea board. Three Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC’s) pass close to A&N Islands and hence, fragile eco system of the islands requires special care.
The ICGS Samudra Paheredar has displacement of 3300 tonnes and can achieve a speed in excess of 20 knots. It has an endurance of over 6,000 nautical miles. The ship is equipped with the most advanced and sophisticated pollution response and control equipment that can mitigate oil spills. The equipment comprises hi-sprint booms, river booms, recovery devices like skimmers and side sweeping arms. The ship is capable of unhindered oil recovery operations with storage tank capacity of 500 KL in addition to inflatable barges.
The ship is fitted with modern Integrated Platform Management System and Power Management System, which makes it unique for unmanned machinery operations and Dynamic Positioning System for Fire-Fighting and ‘Pollution Response Operations’. It is also fitted with an Infra-Red Surveillance System for night operations. To aid in Surveillance, Interdiction, Search and Rescue and Medical Evacuation, the ship is armed with a 30 mm CRN 91 gun with fire control system, and can operate a twin engine ALH/Chetak helicopter. The ship has a complement of 11 officers and 100 enrolled personnel.
