Commissioning of Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Sujeet’

Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship ‘Sujeet’ has been commissioned in Goa on December 15, 2020. This ship is the second ship that has been launched in the series of five Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV). It has been built by Goa Shipyard Limited.

Significance

It is the state-of-the-art technology. It will meet the maritime challenges to safeguard the national interests. It will also facilitate the maritime trade and commerce. The vessel has been made in line with Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India’.

Patrol boat

It is also referred as a patrol craft, patrol ship or patrol vessel. It is a small naval vessel. It has been designed for coastal defence, search duties, rescue duties, border protection, immigration law-enforcement. The boat can be operated by a nation’s navy, police force, coast guard, police force or customs. They are commonly engaged in border protection roles. It is also involved in anti-piracy, fisheries patrols, anti-smuggling and immigration law enforcement.

Classification of Patrol Boat

They are classified into two types- inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). These warships are smaller in size. It includes fast attack craft, torpedo boats and missile boats. The offshore patrol vessels are the smallest ship. They are engaged in patrolling the off-shore in the open ocean. The smaller inshore patrol vessels also known as coastal patrol craft or boats. Riverine patrol vessels are used to patrol river area. Offshore patrol vessels usually used in the coast guard in the larger militaries.