Panaji: At a time when the sea is becoming “more complex, more demanding and less forgiving,” the Indian Coast Guard on Friday commissioned ICGS Akshay. It is the fifth of eight fast patrol vessels being built by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) under a Rs 473-crore contract.The vessel will be deployed for search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, coastal security and maritime law enforcement. It is armed with a 30mm CRN-91 gun and two 12.7mm stabilised remote-controlled guns with fire-control systems.The commissioning comes at a moment when, in the words of the region’s top Coast Guard commander, maritime threats are increasing in complexity.Inspector general Bhisham Sharma, commander of Coast Guard region (west), highlighted the strategic need for India’s push for new platforms. “The sea is not only a space of movement and commerce; it is also a space for security, economy, and national confidence. Threats to commercial shipping, vulnerability of chokepoints, asymmetric activity at sea, illegal exploitation of marine resources — all point to one requirement: preparedness,” Sharma said.“India’s response to maritime threats must be built into its platforms and its people. Preparedness cannot be merely reactive or symbolic. It has to live on our platforms, our training of the men in uniform, our standard operating procedures,” he said.The vessel carries a “strong imprint of indigenous shipbuilding” as 60% of the equipment and materials used during construction were indigenous.GSL’s finance director, Jahangeer Alam Ansari, said that the delivery and commissioning of the vessel not only signify the culmination of meticulous engineering but also mark strategic autonomy and reduced dependence on international equipment suppliers.The vessel was formally commissioned by Parama Sen, additional secretary (personnel), ministry of finance, in the presence of Sharma, IG Jyotindra Singh, and senior central and state govt officials. Commandant (JG) Deepak Choubey will command the vessel.
