Indian Coast Guard commissions offshore patrolling vessel Sarathi

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned well-equipped offshore patrolling (OPV) vessel named ‘Sarathi’. 
•    It was commissioned by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) shipyard at Vasco in south Goa. 
•    ICGS Sarathi is the third in the series of six OPVs built by GSL for Indian Coast Guard (ICG). 
•    It is designed and built indigenously by GSL. It is the largest i.e. 105-meter long and is most advanced new generation off-shore patrol vessel. 
•    It has a state-of-the-art propulsion system that can propel the vessel to a speed of over 25 knots. 
•    It is designed to carry one twin engine light helicopter and five high speed boats. 
•    The vessel will be joining coast guard fleet based at Kochi, Kerala and will form part of the Naval Training Squadron. 
•    It will be deployed for other surveillance and to safeguard the maritime interests of the country. 
•    It will also help the coast guard meet the increasing requirement of policing and patrolling of the India’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).