VVIP Passenger Craft built by Navy ceremonially launched
Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara
Samarasinghe ceremonially launched the VVIP Passenger craft built by the
Navy at a ceremony held in the Colombo Harbour yesterday (10th December
2009). The launch coincides with the 59th Anniversary celebrations which
mark the Navy's stepping into its 60th year of serving the Motherland.
The historical occasion was attended by Directors General of the Navy
and Commander Western Naval area.
The luxuriously furbished vessel named "Admiralty
Craft" is custom-built for VVIP excursions at the Inshore Patrol Craft
Construction Site at SLNS Mahasen in Welisara. It is entirely designed
and built by the Navy under the direction of Commander of the Navy with
Director General Engineering Rear Admiral MAJ de Costa providing close
supervision for its successful completion in a record time of six (06)
months. The craft is 15.58 meters (51 feet) in length and 3.33 meters
(11 feet) in breadth. It is powered by two engines of 3500 Horse Power
capacity each and comes fully air-conditioned with TV and Home Theatre
system. The craft has a maximum speed of 28 knots and travels very
comfortably in sea state 03. It can accommodate 14 passengers and has a
crew of 11.
Today, Naval engineers build its own Inshore Patrol
Craft and Ultra Fast Small Attack Craft (better known as Arrow Boats)
using their expertise and ingenuity in boat building to suit Navy's own
requirements saving the country millions of rupees in foreign exchange.
Navy's elite fighting forces, SBS (Special Boat Squadron) and RABS
(Rapid Action Boat Squadron), use "the Arrow Boat" for their combat
operations with a devastating effect.
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