Coast Guard unveils Aruna Asaf Ali

An advanced patrol vessel, 'Aruna Asaf Ali', named after the grand old lady of India's freedom struggle, was commissioned into Indian Coast Guard on Saturday.

Director General of Indian Coast Guard Vice-Admiral A K Singh was present for the commissioning held at Vasco port town. This extra-fast patrol vessel, second in the series of five ships, designed by Goa shipyard, is a sea-going, high speed, armed, round-the-clock surveillance platform, which are capable of shallow water operations, according to Coast Guard officials.

The vessel is fitted with a 30-mm power operated gun, two light machine guns, and state-of-the-art navigational and communication equipment, the officials said.

After commissioning the ship, Vice-Admiral Singh said, "The force is ready to take up responsibility of close coast surveillance of all the states but it requires more ships. The

Union government has already approved construction of 22 ships - 15 off-shore patrol vessels, three interceptors and two extra-fast patrol vessels," he said, adding, that once the Sethu Samudram project was operational, the Coast Guard will ensure that no piracy and pollution took place in the sea.