The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Suraksha which was provided by the Indian Coast Guard to the Sri Lanka Navy last month has been commissioned as Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ships at the Colombo Harbor.
- It was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Kochi in India on 5th September 2017.
- It is the first OPV inducted into its fleet, amid the blessings invoked by religious dignitaries representing Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic religions.
- Captain Neville Ubayasiri pledged to take its command.
- It will be used by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard for patrolling and surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, prevention of maritime pollution as well as training purposes.
- The OPV Suraksha has a displacement of 1,160 tons and it is 74.10m in length and 11.4m in breadth. It can sail at a speed of 22 nautical miles per hour.
- This vessel can cover 8,500 nautical miles maintaining a speed of 16 nautical miles per hour.
