‘Samarth’ and ‘Abhinav’: Two Indian Coast Guard Ships reach Sri Lanka

The Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Samarth’ and Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Abhinav’ docked at Galle Harbour on Tuesday (Feb.27)

Two Indian Coast Guard Ships ‘Samarth’ and ‘Abhinav’ have reached Sri Lanka after concluding the 16th ‘Dosti’ trilateral exercise in Malé, the Maldives.

The Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘Samarth’ and Fast Patrol Vessel ‘Abhinav’ docked at Galle Harbour on Tuesday (Feb.27) and are slated to set sail to Colombo Port on March 02, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

The Commanding Officers of the ICGS, Deputy Inspector General P Pradeep Kumar and Commandant (JG) Prabhat Kumar will be calling on Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard and other senior officers.

During the stay, the ships will undertake training for Sri Lanka Coast Guard on VBSS, Fire Fighting and Damage Control, Maritime Pollution Response and hold few other professional interactions.

Further, activities such as yoga, beach cleaning and a walkathon will also be held during the visit. In addition, Passage Exercise (PASSEX) will be conducted with Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship, on departure, off Galle and Colombo.

In order to foster the people-to-people connectivity and awareness about the Indian Coast Guard and its capability, the ships will be open for visit by school children. The ships would host a reception onboard for guests from Sri Lanka including senior officials from defence hierarchy and civil administration.