Report by Swasti Sharma
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) named ‘Sarthak’ was commissioned and dedicated to the nation by Director General of Indian Coast Guard, Shri K Natarajan, on October 28, 2021, at Goa.
It will help in the maritime safety and security of the country. ICGS Sarthak will be based at Porbandar in Gujarat and operated on India’s Western Seaboard.
Sarthak is commanded by Deputy Inspector General MM Syed with a company of 11 officers and 110 men. It was built by Goa Shipyard Limited and is 4th in the series of five OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel).
OPVs are multi-mission platforms capable of undertaking concurrent operations. The ship is 105 metres in length and can attain a maximum speed of 26 knots (unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, exactly 1.852 km/hour). The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, machinery, sensors, and weapons which enable it to function as a command platform and undertake mandated Coast Guard charter of duties including search & rescue, combating maritime crimes, and preserving & protecting the marine environment.