Indian Coast Guard ship to dock at Hamad Port

The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Samarth will arrive at Hamad Port on Saturday on a four-day visit to Qatar. In the framework of the deep-rooted friendly ties, multi-faceted and growing co-operation between India and Qatar, this is the second time this year that an Indian ship is visiting Qatar, the Indian embassy said in statement on Thursday.

In January, the ICGS Samudra Prahari had visited Doha in conjunction with India’s 68th Republic Day celebrations. ICGS Samarth is the first ship of the new series of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) that have been indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited in India. The word “Samarth” means “capable” and it reflects the Indian Coast Guard’s will and commitment to serve and protect the maritime interests of India.ICGS Samarth, which has 19 officers and 102 other personnel under the command of Deputy Inspector General K R Deepak Kumar, is based in Goa, on the west coast of India, under the administrative and operational control of the commander, Coast Guard Region (West) which has its headquarters in Mumbai.The 105-m ship is equipped with the state-of-the-art technology, navigation and communications equipment, sensors and machinery. It is capable of deploying Advanced Light Helicopter and Chetak helicopters. It can carry five high-speed boats, search and rescue maritime patrol and engage in pollution-control measures like cleaning up oil spills at sea. Other features include integrated bridge system, integrated machinery control, power management and high power external firefighting system. This visit will further strengthen the friendship between India and Qatar as well as enhance maritime co-operation between the two countries, the statement added.