Indian Coast Guard ship Sarathi, third ship in the series of six offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), was commissioned by the Home Minister Rajnath Singh on September 9, 2016, at Goa, in the presence of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Director General of Indian Coast Guard Rajendra Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) Rear Admiral (Retd) Shekhar Mital and others. ‘Sarathi’, meaning charioteer, is a projection of Indian Coast Guard’s will and commitment ‘to serve and protect’ the maritime interest of the nation.

This 105 metres OPV has been designed and built indigenously by GSL and is fitted with most advanced state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, sensors and machineries. The features include 30mm CRN 91 naval gun, integrated bridge system (IBS), integrated machinery control system (IMCS), power management system (PMS) and high power external firefighting system. The ship is designed to carry one twin-engine light helicopter and five high speed boats including two quick reaction inflatable boats for swift boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spill at sea.

ICGS Sarathi will be commanded by Commandant Atul Joshi and manned by 14 officers and 98 men. The ship will be under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (West).

The commissioning of ICGS Sarathi will enhance the Indian Coast Guard’s operational capability to discharge the multifarious maritime tasks. With the increased threat from sea-borne terrorism, the induction of a sophisticated and state-of-the-art OPV will give a fillip to the maritime security of our vast coastline and in particular the maritime state of Kerala and island territories of Lakshadweep and Minicoy.