ICGS ‘Sujay’ joins Coast Guard fleet at Paradip

Paradip: The stationing of ICGS Sujay in the Coast Guard fleet at Paradip port will augment the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) presence and capabilities off Odisha coast, said Coast Guard DIG Rakesh Makwana today while introducing the latest Offshore Patrol Vessel at the port today.

ICGS Sujay will help the coast guards to undertake exclusive economic zone surveillance and missions like protection of endangered Olive Ridley turtles or disaster management during emergency situations like floods and cyclones.

"ICGS Sujay is one of the most advanced ships at present and will be an indispensable asset in rescue operations, pollution response activities, patrolling and other works like anti-narcotics and anti-terrorism.," he said.

Chairman of Paradip Port Trust, Rinkesh Ray said the induction of the vessel will add teeth to the existing coast guard since it is more equipped than the ICGS Vajra. "The vessel will enhance the security capabilities of the port and the entire state. We have also expressed our desire before the Coast Guard DIG to keep ICGS Vajra and showcase it at the port as it is likely to be decommissioned," Ray said.

Indigenously built by Goa Shipyard Limited, ICGS Sujay is a 105-metre long coast guard vessel which was commissioned on December 21 last year. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the- art communication and navigational tools and is commanded by Deputy Inspector General Yoginder Dhaka and manned by 12 officers and 94 men.