The Indian Coast Guard presented an interceptor boat to Mauritius under the policy of ‘Safer Ocean Through Friendship’. The boat was given after the two counries signed an agreement for the free lease of an Indian Coast Guard interceptor boat to Mauritius for five years. The boat was handed over at a decommissioning ceremony at Chennai Port.

The Assistant Commandant of the interceptor, RK Kadam formally handed it over to the Chief Inspector Mahadeo Malloo of Mauritius Coast Guard.

The leased ship built at a cost of about Rs 1 crore was inducted into Coast Guard Service on October 16, 1997. The interceptor was deployed for various operations. The boat, having a length of 20.62 metres, breadth of 5.6 metres, weight of 44 tons and a maximum speed of 34 knots, is capable of cruising continuously for 48 hours.

Speaking on the occasion, Cmde RS Vasan, Commander Cost Guard Region (East) said that the Indian Coast Guard had already trained the crew from Mauritius for manning the interceptor.

Taking charge of the boat, the Chief Inspector of Mauritius Coast Guard, Mr Mahadeo Malloo thanked India for its continued assistance for making the National Coast Guard of Mauritius a dynamic and professional force. The Indian Government had helped establish the NCG, Mauritius giving MNS Amar, later CGS Amar. This was followed by the provision of Line of Credit for the procurement of the Mandovi boats and transfer of a seaward defence boat (CGS Guardian). India is also undertaking the repair and refitting of CGS Vigilant, an offshore patrol vessel and the flagship of the National Coast Guard at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The Indian Navy has already provided more than 300 training slots to the NCG under ITEC Scheme.