SLNS Samudura

SLNS Samudura (P-621), while still in US service as USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622)
History
Sri Lanka
Builder: American Ship Building Company, Lorain, Ohio
Laid down: 14 March 1966
Launched: 18 March 1967
Commissioned: 2005
Homeport: SLN Dockyard, Trincomalee
Fate: Active
Notes: Donated on June 24, 2004.
General characteristics
Displacement: 759 tons
Length: 210 ft 6 in (64.16 m)
Beam: 34 ft (10 m)
Draught: 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Propulsion: 2 x V16 2550 horsepower ALCO diesel engines
Speed: max 18 knots; 2,700 mile range
Range: cruise 14 knots; 6,100 mile range
Complement: 12 officers, 63 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems:		 2 x AN/SPS-64
Armament:
Aircraft carried: HH-65 Dolphin

SLNS Samudura (P-621) (Samudura, in Sinhalese: Sea) is an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Sri Lanka Navy. Formerly the USCGC Courageous of the United States Coast Guard, the medium endurance cutter was donated to Sri Lanka on June 24, 2004.

Operations

Samudura is tasked with deep sea patrolling both within the Sri Lankan territorial waters and in international waters to curb ongoing arms smuggling by the LTTE. In recent months Samudura, along with other OPVs of the Sri Lankan Navy, has been able to successfully intercept several ships smuggling arms for the LTTE. In all these cases the ships were sunk when they attacked the naval vessels with mortars. Samudura also participated in the Cadex 2009 military training exercises with the Indian Navy after the war.[1]

SLNS Samudura in her post-conflict operations continue to serve the nation with policing and law enforcement duties in maritime jurisdiction of the country. Apart from her traditional role the ship successfully completed a scientific study programme in liaison with Geological & Mine Bureau of Sri Lanka in conjunction with Woods-hole Oceanographic Laboratory of USA. The ship celebrated her 7th anniversary in Trincomalee on 21 April 2012 with the participation of families of all her serving crew. Furthermore, the ship performed a major role in protecting the Sri Lankan waters from Indian poaching menace in the northern waters by enforcing strict vigil on the preservation of marine environment & supporting sustainable fish-harvesting. At present the ship is attached to the Southern Naval Area to secure maritime interests in Sri Lankan maritime jurisdiction. Her primary duties are to ensure the main Sea Lane of Communication (SLOC) that runs through the Sri Lankan maritime jurisdiction is safe for seafaring and policing the EEZ. Furthermore, the ship has intercepted several boat loads of illegal immigrants heading to Australia violating the country's immigration & emigration laws.

USCGC Courageous

USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622) was a United States Coast Guard medium endurance cutter. She was built by the American Ship Building Company in Lorain, Ohio and launched on 18 March 1967. She commissioned on 19 April 1968. She was decommissioned 19 September 2001. The United States Coast Guard donated Courageous to Sri Lanka on June 24, 2004 and a departure ceremony was held February 19, 2005.

The First Sri Lankan Captain on the vessel was Captain Sirimevan Ranasinghe WWV RWP

since, the ship has been Commanded by:

Captain Dimuthu Gunawardena RWP, psc

Captain Jayantha De Silva RSP, USP, psc

Captain Kapila Samaraweera RSP, USP

Captain Muditha Gamage psc

Presently the ship is Commanded by Captain YN Jayarathna RWP, RSP,USP,psc

References

  1. ↑ "Sri Lanka and India Navy conduct joint naval training exercise". Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
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