Maharashtra police have sent a proposal to the state government asking for sanctioning of Intermediate Support Vessels (ISV) for bolstering its coastal policing. The existing Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) with the police can stay at sea for around five hours, while ISVs can stay at sea for seven days and can reach up to 200 nautical miles, police said. In November 2008, Pakistani terrorists had sneaked into Mumbai from Karachi via sea route and had killed as many as 166 people in the carnage. The central and state government had since then begun taking measures to plug gaps in the porous coastal security of the state.
According to the police sources, the proposal sent by the office of Director General of Police (DGP) stated that there is a need to change the existing fleet of FPVs with ISVs. The police refused to share the number of ISVs they intend to get stating coastal security concerns.
"Maharashtra has a 720-kilometre coastline and 842-kilometre creek area and for effective monitoring of coastline, coastal security and fishermen security ISV are the need of the hour and its inclusion in the police machinery is very important. These ISVs will help us to cater to the coastal threats, to curb illegal activities that take place in sea, illegal fishing and keep eye on the movement of trawlers. The ISVs can stay still even inside deep waters," said a police officer.
"We want the ISVs on a rental basis and it will cost the government around Rs 15 crore. Moreover, since we will not be purchasing it, the onus of maintenance and repair will be on the ISV making company. ISV is approved by Royal Institution of Naval Architects and has International Ship and Port Facility Security Code which is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies," the officer said.
The police sources stated that even the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has taken ISV on rent for Rs 1.70 lakh per day for five years in order to secure their establishments in the sea.
When contacted, Principal Secretary (Special), Home Department said, "We are examining the proposal and will take the required positive steps."
Comparison between existing Fast Patrol Vessel & Intermediate Support Vessel
Specification – Fast Patrol Vessel – Intermediate Support Vessel
Speed – 35-40 Knots – 25 Knots
No of Crew – Around 20 persons Including crew – Around 34 persons including crew
Stay at Sea – 4-5 hours – 7 days
Capacity to go high sea – 5 nautical miles – 200 nautical miles
