High speed patrol for BPCL SPM in Kochi
01 Dec 2014 | BPCL Update
For enhancing the security of the SPM Terminal in Kochi, Kerala, BPCL has deployed a Speed boat with a contingent of CISF Quick Reaction Team (QRT). Surveillance of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) Terminal area in the Arabian Sea, 19.5 Km off-shore, with a high speed patrol boat would reinforce the security of the vital installation which is critical to the State economy said Hon’ble Minister for Home & Vigilance Mr. Ramesh Chennithala who launched the Speed Patrol Boat on 25 November 2014.
Mr. Ramesh Chennithala launched the Speed Patrol Boat for SPM Surveillance in the presence of Mr. Hibi Eden MLA, Mr. S Sarma MLA, Captain Simon Mathai, Naval Officer in Charge, Southern Naval Command, Mr. Prasad K Panicker, ED (Kochi Refinery), Mr. KG James IPS, District Police Chief (Kochi City) and Mr. Paul Antony IAS, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust. Mr. Ramesh Chennithala, Hon’ble Minister for Home and Vigilance inaugurated the high speed patrol boat for SPM surveillance at a function held at Willington Island Tourist Jetty.
Mr. Prasad K Panicker, Executive Director (Kochi Refinery) welcomed the gathering. Mr. Hibi Eden, MLA, Ernakulam, Mr. S Sarma, MLA, Vypin, Mr. Paul Antony IAS, Chairman, Cochin Port Trust, Mr. BS Mohammed Yasin IPS, ADGP, Mr. KG James, District Police Chief (Kochi City), Mr. TKS Chandran, DIG, Coast Guard, Captain Simon Mathai, Naval Officer In-Charge (Kerala), Indian Navy, Mr. Bose Joseph, Chief Manager, IOCL, Mr. TN Neelakanton, Vice President, Petronet LNG Ltd, Mr. C K Soman, General Manager (Operations), BPCL Kochi Refinery and officials from Cochin Port Trust, Indian Navy, CISF and Kerala Police were present during the occasion.
For the security of SPM, BPCL had deployed Marine guards on the Maintenance and Support vessel located adjacent to the SPM on a round the clock basis. The State Government declared SPM as a Prohibited Area for distance of about one nautical miles to prevent fishing boats approaching closer to SPM to avoid any damage to SPM and floating hoses.
The review conducted by the Raksha Mantri during 15 April 2013 had recommended deployment of a speed boat for further protection of the SPM. BPCL has sourced a boat with a speed of 20 knots, for this purpose. The deployment of the Speed boat with a contingent of CISF Quick Reaction Team (QRT), will help in preventing any intrusion to the protected area around SPM. This QRT will be operated on round the clock basis. Adequate communication devices are also provided in the speed boat for the QRT to contact the Port control, BPCL Control Room at Puthuvypeen, etc. during emergencies.