Visakhapatnam:
Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra on Wednesday commissioned Coast Guard ship 'Rajkiran' in Vishakhapatnam.
Mr Chopra said that Coast Guard was expanding its fleet rapidly. It was engaged in not only the maritime security tasks, but also in pollution control through its specialised ships.
'Rajkiran' can be used for patrolling and anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and search and rescue operations. It is the third of a series of eight ships, being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
'Rajkiran' is a water jet-propelled high-speed Inshore Patrol vessel (IPV), Fifty metres in length, it can clock maximum speed of 34 knots. It would have a 35-member crew, including five officers.
The ship will be based at Haldia under the administrative control of Commander Coast Guard Region (North-East).