For a nation with just 2040 square kilometres of land across several islands, Mauritius has a huge Exclusive Economic Zone of more than 2.30 million square kilometres. The challenge of patrolling this vast area of the Indian Ocean has been made more manageable with the delivery of the final five of ten Fast Interceptor Boats designed and built by the Indian Government-owned M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd.
The Mauritius National Coast Guard will use the boats to enhance their abilities to provide effective surveillance for fisheries and customs, as well as search and rescue. The aluminium boats are 14.30 metres in length with a beam of four metres and a moulded depth of 0.90 metres. A pair of Cummins QSC 8.30 litre engines each of which delivers 500mhp at 2600rpm provides their power. This model of engine can be rated for 500 to 600mhp (equal to 493 to 592bhp or 368 to 441kW).
The engines provide an industry leading power density with their four-valve-per-cylinder configuration and high-pressure common-rail fuel system.
The engines in the Mauritius boats drive Rolls Royce water jets through ZF 286 gears. This gives the boats a top speed of 35 knots and a 20-knot cruising speed with an endurance of over 300km. With a four-person crew, the boats can each carry up to eight passengers or 14 tonnes of cargo.
‘The successful delivery of the boats as per the contract between Mauritius and the Indian defence shipyard is a valuable addition to the long list of partnership projects between India and Mauritius in the domain of maritime security and marks another milestone in the Indo-Mauritian cooperation and friendship,’ stated a Mauritius government spokesman.
‘This also adds another chapter to the history of Mauritius in its quest for self-sufficiency and preparedness towards ensuring maritime security in its vast maritime zones.’
