Panaji, 05 January (H.S.): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard’s (ICG) first indigenously designed and built pollution control vessel, ‘Samudra Pratap,’ in Goa on Monday, marking a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and environmental protection at sea.
The 114.5-metre-long vessel, constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), boasts over 60 per cent indigenous content and is equipped with advanced systems for pollution response, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and safeguarding India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Displacing approximately 4,200 tonnes, the vessel can achieve speeds exceeding 22 knots and has an endurance of 6,000 nautical miles, enabling extended operations far from shore.
Samudra Pratap is outfitted with cutting-edge pollution control equipment, including side-sweeping arms, floating booms, high-capacity skimmers, and an onboard pollution-control laboratory. The vessel can recover up to 300 tonnes of oil per hour and store recovered oil in onboard tanks or inflatable barges, freeing deck space for other operations.
It also features an External Fire Fighting System (Fi-Fi Class 1), advanced Dynamic Positioning capability, Integrated Bridge System (IBS), and an Automated Power Management System for optimal mission efficiency.
The ship’s armament includes a 30 mm CRN-91 gun and two 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns, ensuring it is well-equipped for maritime law enforcement and emergency response. Commanded by Deputy Inspector General Ashok Kumar Bhama, Samudra Pratap will be based in Kochi and will be manned by a complement of 14 officers and 115 personnel, including the maiden appointment of two women officers.
The commissioning of Samudra Pratap underscores India’s commitment to maritime safety, environmental protection, and indigenous defence manufacturing, reinforcing the Coast Guard’s operational readiness and capability in safeguarding the nation’s seas.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
