Indian Coast Guard to Launch First Indigenous Pollution Control Vessel

Introduction of Samudra Pratap

New Delhi, Jan 4: On January 5, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will officially launch the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) inaugural Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), named Samudra Pratap, at a ceremony in Goa.

The ICG announced via its social media that the vessel, which is the first of two planned PCVs, will be commissioned at @goashipyardltd in Goa.

Constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), this 114.5-meter-long vessel has over 60% indigenous components and can reach speeds exceeding 22 knots, with an operational range of 6,000 nautical miles. This significantly boosts the ICG's capabilities in pollution response, firefighting, and maritime safety.

Specifications and Features

Samudra Pratap stands out as the largest vessel in the ICG fleet, enhancing operational capabilities. It measures 114.5 meters in length and 16.5 meters in width, with a displacement of 4,170 tonnes. The ship is outfitted with advanced technology, including a 30mm CRN-91 gun and two 12.7mm remote-controlled guns, along with an Integrated Bridge System and a high-capacity firefighting system.

This vessel is the first in the Coast Guard fleet to feature Dynamic Positioning capability (DP-1) and holds the FiFi-2 / FFV-2 notation certificate.

Additionally, it includes sophisticated systems for oil spill detection, such as an oil fingerprinting machine and a Gyro stabilised Standoff Active Chemical Detector, which facilitate effective pollution response operations within the Exclusive Economic Zone and beyond.

Its design allows for precise operations, including pollutant recovery from viscous oil and contaminant analysis.

Significance of the Induction

On December 23, the ICG welcomed Samudra Pratap as part of the 02 PCV project from Goa Shipyard Limited. This induction aligns with the government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, as highlighted by a Ministry of Defence official.