The Seaward-class defence boats are large patrol craft designed by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) for the Indian Navy. All of these vessels have been decommissioned, due to the large maintenance overhead they require.
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Seaward class |
| Builders | Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers |
| Operators |  Indian Navy |
| Succeeded by | Trinkat class |
| Completed | 7 |
| Retired | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Large Patrol Craft |
| Displacement | 210 tons full load |
| Length | 37.5 m (123 ft) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 30 kn (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range | 5,800 nmi (10,700 km; 6,700 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement | 32 |
| Sensors and processing systems | BEL 1245 surface radar |
| Armament |
|
Midlife refits
editThe ships of this class were built with low strength mild steel and thin plates, and consequently had low corrosion tolerance. As such adhering to prescribed docking intervals was essential.
INS Seaward (T54) was commissioned in September 1982. Its medium refit was due in March 1988 and its long refit in April 1992. Ignoring the vulnerability to corrosion of this ship, the medium refit was delayed by over three years and was carried out from July 1991 to April 1992. As a result, the long refit could not be planned. However, another short refit including the replacement of the engines was taken up in December 1993. The short refit was converted into a medium refit in February 1994. While carrying out repairs, extensive damage to the hull below the waterline was noticed in March 1994. The medium refit was extended to May 1996 because the engines and other materials procured for this ship were used for carrying out ongoing repairs on another, similar, ship (SDBT-55).
Ships
edit| Name | Pennant | Builder | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INS Seaward | T-54 | GRSE | September 1982 | 20 Jan 2006 | Sunk to be made into an artificial reef |
| INS Seawater | T-55 | GRSE | 2008-2009 | Inactive | |
| INS Seawind | T-56 | GRSE | 2008-2009 | ||
| INS Seawaves | T-57 | GRSE | 24 August 2006 | ||
| INS Seastorm | T-58 | GRSE | 20 July 2010 | ||
| INS Seasand | T-59 | GRSE | 7 September 2009 | ||
| INS Searock | T-60 | GRSE | 7 September 2009 | ||
| CGS Guardian | T-61 | GRSE | April 1993 gifted to Mauritius.[1] In service[2] |
References
edit- ^ "Supply of two serviceable Main Engines to the Mauritius Police Force by the Government of India on a gratis basis". High Commission of Port Louis, Mauritius (Press release). 7 October 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
- ^ "The NCG to acquire high-speed crafts from foreign countries". Government of Mauritius (Press release). 12 December 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2020.