Coast Guard to get 2 interceptor boats, 4 Dornier aircraft soon

Visakhapatnam: The Indian Coast Guard Vizag district will soon get two interceptor boats to be stationed here and four Dornier air surveillance aircraft to increase its security dimension in view of the increasing economic activity in Bay of Bengal, said DIG Anil Kumar Harbol.

Addressing a press conference at Coast Guard office here on Tuesday and on the eve of Raising Day, Harbol said Coast Guard had asked Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) for a berth to temporarily station the new vessels before their own jetty is extended by another 200 metres, which will take at least two years. A new coast guard ship will also be deployed at Krishnapatnam port.

With the extension, the present jetty will be of 400 metres length, the DIG said adding that he was expecting the two interceptor boats to reach Vizag in another two months.

“Due to increase in off shore assets, we need to create necessary infrastructure for our fleet. We have requested Visakhapatnam Port Trust to allot a berth till our own berth is extended. AP will lose these two boats if there is any delay in getting the berths,’’ Harbol added.

In addition to this, the Coast Guard will also get a new vessel Ayush to be stationed at Krishnapatnam Port which already has one ship.

Similarly, the Coast Guard has asked Airports Authority of India to allot 10 acres of land for its Air Conclave so as to house the four Dornier Aircrafts. Now the Andhra Pradesh command is depending on Coast Guard Chennai station.

Listing out the rescue and relief operations undertaken recently, the DIG said his men evacuated a sailor who was in a critical condition from Merchant Vessel MP Panamax by Coast Guard helicopter.