The citizens were happy to know that ICGS Vishwast (OPV 30) was formally inducted into Indian Coast Guard on March 17. Within a week after that we came to know that ICGS Vivek at Indira dock of Mumbai port sank in daylight on March 23.

Here are some interesting features of ICGS Vishwast:

  • ‘Vishwast’ means ‘Trustworthy’  Indian_Coast_Guard_Ship_Vishwast_Commissioning_1
  • the first of the new class of Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV – Yard No 1203) indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Ltd.
  • the only vessel of this class in the world with facilities for Pollution Control, Fire Fighting, Search & Rescue and Patrolling provided in a 90 metre vessel.
  • was formally commissioned by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri AK Antony at the Goa Shipyard Ltd. on March 17.
  • 90 metres long, propelled by two MTU engines, can cruise at a maximum speed of 26 knots.
  • has an endurance of 4500 nautical miles.
  • has an Integrated Bridge System (IBS) equipped with state-of-the art navigation and communication equipment.
  • also has Platform Management System.
  • capable of operating a helicopter.
  • weapon – 30 mm gun.

Here are some photographs of ICGS Vishwast induction ceremony from Goa Shipyard Ltd.

Indian_Coast_Guard_Ship_Vishwast_Commissioning_2

Indian_Coast_Guard_Ship_Vishwast_Commissioning_3

ICGS Vishwast is expected to join Coast Guard Region (East) for deployment.

Here comes the sad story of ICGS Vivek (OPV 38 – commissioned on August 19, 1989):

  • 20 year old vessel was undergoing repairs at Mumbai port through Krasny Marine Services. Indira_Dock_Mumbai
  • the vessel was berthed on March 20 in Berth 10 of Indira Docks and was expected to leave by March 31.
  • unfortunately on March 23, the vessel sank in the afternoon due to incoming vessel MV Global Purity.
  • no loss of life was reported.
  • the reason is being investigated.
  • meanwhile Sarigumba Sarjeovillas, the captain of the Panamanian vessel Global Purity has been arrested for further action.
  • it seems that salvaging the ship as a scrap is only possible.

Read more from Indian Express and DNA India.

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