Goa Shipyard Limited witnessed the Keel Laying Ceremony of 04 Coast Guard FPVs and Inauguration of GSL Integrated Stores Complex on August 25, 2023 at the hands of Giridhar Aramane, IAS, Defence Secretary in the presence of DG Rakesh Pal, PTM, TM Director General, Indian Coast Guard, Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director GSL, Jaspal Singh, Director General of Police, Goa, RAdm Ajay D. Theophilus, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area, IG Manoj Vasant Baadkar, PTM, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region (West), IG H K Sharma, TM, DDG (Tech) Indian Coast Guard, Capt Jagmohan (Retd), Director (CPP&BD) GSL and other senior officials of the Indian Coast Guard and GSL.

Keel laying is a major milestone activity in the construction of any ship symbolizing formal commencement of construction process. These vessels for the Indian Coast Guard are based on in-house design of GSL and will be fitted with most modern and technologically advanced machinery and computerized controls systems, making them the most advanced Fast Patrol Vessels in service with the Indian Coast Guard on delivery. The Fast Patrol Vessel designed by Goa Shipyard Limited is a medium range weapon fitted surface vessel which has an overall Length of 51.43 mtrs, Breadth is 8 mtrs, Draft is 2.15 mtrs (Approx.) and complement 42 that includes 7 Officers and 35 Sailors. The ship is propelled with twin engine, with CPP arrangement with maximum speed of 27 Knots. It has endurance of 1500 Nautical Miles at Cruising speed (12-14 Knots) with 25% reserve fuel. Displacement of the vessel is approx. 320 Tons. It is capable of operating in sea conditions upto sea state 4 and survivability upto sea state 6. It has an expected service life of 20 years. Secondary role of the vessel: During hostilities and wartime, it will provide communication link and escort coastal convoys.

Further, the program also witnessed Inauguration of the New Stores Complex by Defence Secretary which marked the culmination of the GSL Modernization program which has been under execution to upgrade the capability of the Yard.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Giridhar Aramane applauded the efforts put in by Goa Shipyard in achieving this milestone, especially the scale of indigenization in collaboration with the Indian industry. He emphasized on the importance to nurture and develop the shipbuilding industry of the country which has had a rich legacy in the past. While highlighting the major achievements of Shipyard, Defence Secretary emphasized that this industry is increasingly becoming competitive and elucidated the importance for the GSL employees and management to gear up in terms of efficiency and competitiveness in order to retain the cutting edge.

During his address, CMD-GSL, thanked the Indian Coast Guard for their unstinted support and reiterated GSL's commitment to cater for the requirement of Maritime Defence Forces through indigenous shipbuilding.

DGCG Rakesh Pal congratulated the Chairman and Managing Director, officers and workers of Goa Shipyard Limited for their dedicated effort. DGCG said GSL will continue to strive for perfection and achieve higher goals in the years ahead.