The Gaj class offshore tugboats are a series of two auxiliary watercraft built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., Kolkata, for the Indian Navy. The vessels in the class are Indian Navy's biggest tugboats and can be used for towing aircraft carriers.
Description Each vessel in the class has a 40-ton bollard pull and are powered by twin Garden Reach G7V diesel engines coupled to two propellers with a total output of 3920 bhp. They have four foam monitors installed for firefighting operations. The vessels have a speed of 15 knots and are also fitted with diving and salvage equipment. They carry an RCC (recompression chamber) and can render limited submarine rescue services.
Ships in the class Pennant No. Name Launched Commissioned Decommissioned NotesA-51 INS Gaj September 1972 20 September 1973 14 August 1996 A-53 INS Matanga 29 October 1977 2 April 1983 27 January 2017
See also Tugboats of the Indian Navy
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