GSL handed over first fast patrol vessel for Mauritius govt in record time

By Aeromag Asia 28-Sep-2016

News

Indo-Mauritian Defence Co-operation got another fillip with the delivery of first Fast Patrol Vessel, MCGS VICTORY (50 meter length), designed and built in-house by Goa Shipyard Limited for Mauritius Coast Guard, on 26th September 2016 at GSL. The ship was ceremonially handed over by RAdm. Shekhar Mital, NM (Retd), CMD, Goa Shipyard Ltd to  Mr. K. Jhugroo, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mauritius Police Force, Government of Mauritius  in the distinguished presence of Mauritius Officials Capt Saurabh Thakur, Commandant, National Coast Guard, Lt. Cdr Y. Pramod, CO, CGS Victory, Lt Cdr Girish Kumar HL, Project Officer and Mr. S. P. Raikar, Director (Operations), GSL, Cmde. B.B. Nagpal, Director (CPP&BD) besides other dignitaries. 

RAdm Shekhar Mital, CMD, GSL Said, “Contract of the vessel was signed on 17 May 2014 and the keel of this vessel was laid on 18th Dec 2014.  The vessel was launched on 29th February 2016 by Smt Smita Parsekar, wife of Hon’ble Chief minister of Goa. Despite all the challenges, including delay of over six months in supply of steel and being the first ship of the series, we have successfully delivered this ship as per contractual schedule of Sept 2016, within 20 months of keel laying which is a record in itself, and is in line with the track record of GSL in recent years of timely deliveries and shows the dedication and commitment of all the stakeholders involved. ” CMD thanked Government of Mauritius,  Ministry of Defence, State Government and local authorities for providing all the necessary assistance, which has enabled GSL to achieve new milestones in the performance.

Mr. K. Jhugroo, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mauritius Police Force, while addressing the gathering lauded the excellent work being done in the shipyard and complemented GSL for delivery of the state-of- the-art new ship for Mauritius force.  He further complimented the GSL work force on their working skills and positive attitude, which is an example for others to emulate.

The vessel is primarily designed for Coastal Patrolling, Anti-piracy, Anti-smuggling, Anti-drug Surveillance, Anti-poaching Operations, and Search and Rescue Operations. The vessel is fitted with 30 mm CRN-91 Gun, 12.7 mm HMGs & 7.62 mm MMGs besides state-of-the-art Navigation and Communication equipment and is capable of achieving a high speed of 35 knots. Significantly, trials were undertaken in peak monsoon months and the vessel achieved all design parameters.

GSL is largest exporter of ships from Indian subcontinent and is presently executing export orders worth Rs. 1200 Cr. GSL prides itself in timely delivery of ships at ‘fixed cost’ and enjoys very strong execution skills.