SVL ship to carry out full scale hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours and deep seas
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has termed the Indian Ocean as a hotspot for global trade with many choke points through which a large amount of international goods takes place.
“(But) Many choke points like Gulf of Aden etc. are present in the Indian Ocean. Many threats remain at these choke points, the biggest being from pirates,” he said, referring to the hijack attempts on Merchant Vessels in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Navy’s courage and promptness to rescue the ships from the pirates.
Rajnath Singh assured that those involved in maritime piracy and smuggling will not be tolerated under any circumstances, describing it as the pledge of ‘New India’.
He sent out the warning at the commissioning of INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025), the first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ship, into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, on 3 Feb.
“The primary role of the ship is to carry out full scale hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, navigational channels-routes, coastal areas and deep seas, towards enabling safe marine navigation. In its secondary role, the ship will be capable of undertaking a range of naval operations.”
Built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the SVL has been steered by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy.
The keel was laid on 12 March 2019 and the ship was launched on 5 Dec 2021.
It has undergone a comprehensive schedule of trials in harbour and at sea, leading up to commissioning. The ship has a displacement of 3,400 tons and an overall length of 110 meters with a beam of 16m, said the Ministry of Defence.
INS Sandhayak is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment including Deep & Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo-Sounders, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle, Side scan sonars, Data Acquisition and Processing System, satellite-based positioning systems and terrestrial survey equipment.
The ship is propelled by two Diesel Engines and is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 18 knots. It has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost and is a tribute to the collaborative efforts between the Indian Navy and Industry, including MSMEs.
‘Sandhayak’ means the one who carries out a special search. The crest depicts the sixteen points of a mariner’s compass, enclosing a ‘divider’ and an ‘anchor’ riding the sea, symbolising the charting of oceans, which is the basic role of the survey ship.
The commissioning is an affirmation of India’s expertise in warship designing and construction.
Meanwhile, 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug, Mahabali, has been delivered to Indian Navy on 2 Feb 24 in presence of Rear Admiral Subir Mukherjee, NM, ASY(Kochi).
“This Tug is a proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative,” said the Ministry.
Contract for construction and delivery of three 25T BP Tugs was concluded with Shoft Shipyard Pvt Ltd (SSPL), an MSME, in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative of the Government of India.
These Tugs are being built under the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
The availability of Tugs will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating assistance to Naval ships and submarines during berthing and un-berthing, turning and maneuvering in confined waters.
The Tugs will also provide afloat firefighting assistance to ships alongside, at anchorage and will also have capability to conduct limited Search and Rescue Operations, said the Ministry. Fiinews.com
