1) Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Samarth’ pulled into Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, today morning. The Ship is on a three day good will visit to Oman, which is part of a four nation overseas deployment in the Gulf region. The visit of ICGS Samarth to Oman is the fifth visit by an Indian Coast Guard Ship in last five years and aims to enhance the existing cooperation between Indian Coast Guard and Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (ROPCG).
2) Coast Guard Ship Samarth – the first in the series of 105 meter Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), is a newly commissioned vessel. ‘Samarth’ meaning ‘capable’ is symbolic of Indian Coast Guard’s will and commitment to serve and protect the maritime interests of India. The Ship is equipped with state of art navigational & communication sensors. It is designed to carry twin engine Advance Light Helicopter , Chetak Helicopters and high speed boats for fast boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. It is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to combat oil spill contamination at sea. The Ship was indigenously built in Goa Ship Yard Limited, Goa, which has since built four more vessels of this class.
3) The Ship is based in Goa, under the operational command of Regional Coast Guard Commander (West), Mumbai, and is commanded by Deputy Inspector General KR Deepak Kumar.
4) The Ship will be interacting with ROPCG on various maritime related exchanges during the three day visit which mainly includes pollution response exercise, maritime search & rescue, and maritime law enforcement.
