Context:
External Affairs recently visited Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, which is in Manila Bay in the Philippines, as part of an overseas deployment to ASEAN countries.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
About ICGS Samudra Paheredar
Overview:
- ICGS Samudra Paheredar is a specialized Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) operated by the Indian Coast Guard.
Positioning:
- As the second Pollution Control Vessel in India, it follows the first vessel, ICGS Samudra Prahari.
- The vessel was indigenously constructed by ABG Shipyard, located in Surat.
Commissioning and Location:
- The ship was commissioned into service in the year 2012.
- It is stationed on the East Coast of India, specifically in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Technical Specifications:
- Dimensions and Propulsion:
- The vessel spans a length of 94.10 meters and has a maximum displacement of 4,300 tons.
- It is powered by twin 3,000-kilowatt diesel engines, further augmented by twin shaft generators, enabling a maximum speed of 21 knots.
- Endurance and Operational Capabilities:
- At its economical speed, the ship boasts an endurance of 6,500 nautical miles, allowing it to remain at sea for up to 20 days.
- Pollution Response Equipment:
- The primary function of the vessel is pollution response at sea.
- It is equipped with cutting-edge pollution response and control equipment to tackle oil spills.
- This includes containment gear like hi-sprint booms and river booms, recovery tools such as skimmers, and side sweeping arms.
- Oil Recovery and Storage:
- The vessel has a dedicated storage capacity of 502 kiloliters, facilitating unhindered oil-recovery operations.
- Special Features:
- The vessel boasts an integrated platform management system, a power management system, and a high-powered external firefighting system.
- Helicopter Operations:
- ICGS Samudra Paheredar is equipped to operate one twin-engine ALH/Chetak helicopter, enhancing its surveillance and response capabilities.
