Mangaluru: Bharati Defence and Infrastructure Ltd. (BDIL), Mangaluru, on Thursday delivered an interceptor boat, C-162, to the Indian Coast Guard on its premises here.

Sixth in a series of 15 high speed interceptor boats being procured by the ICG, C-162 was launched on January 31 at BDIL and within 28 days, the vessel completed harbour and sea trials successfully achieving speeds more than the contractual limit of 35 knots, said a release from BDIL.

ICG’s Principal Director (Material) DIG H.P. Singh, Coast Guard Refit and Production Superintendent, Goa, DIG Atul Parlekar, BDIL’s Chief Operating Officer DIG (Retd.) Narendra Kumar, BDIL’s president Pavithran Alokkan and others were present on the occasion.

The 28-m-long vessel has an aluminium hull, weighs about 60 dead-weight tonnage (DWT) and is designed for speeds up to 35 knots. It is fitted with a new generation of Arneson Surface Drive propulsion system and is propelled by two engines of 1,650 KW each. The vessel can accommodate 11 crew and is deployed mainly for patrolling purposes.

To be based at ICG’s Kochi unit, the vessel would be commanded by Deputy Commandant Pawan Koyar, while Deputy Commandant Sushant Deshmukh from Coast Guard Refit and Production Team, Goa, is the project officer for this series of vessels.

Having handed over the fifth vessel of the series in November last, the present handover within about four months has infused new spirits among BDIL staff as the company was admitted to Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The successful delivery of C-162 under severe financial limitations comes as a shot in the arm for the company as it was accomplished on challenging fund constrained situation.

BDIL has got a committed team of technical officers and skilled employees through whom it is confident of delivering the remaining vessels of the series, the release added.