Samudra Paheredar designed to mitigate marine oil spills
Samudra Paheredar, the indigenously built second pollution control vessel, specially designed to mitigate any marine oil spill, received a warm welcome from the Coast Guard fraternity on its arrival at Chennai Port on Tuesday.
Receiving the vessel Coast Guard Region (East) Commander Inspector General S.P. Sharma, said the vessel will add marine pollution response capabilities like contain, recover and dispose of 500 tonnes of oil which may be spilled into the seas by accidents or hazards.
The ship also has infrared surveillance system which can detect any oil spill even of minor nature, and thereafter dissolve or disintegrate oil. Being a CG ship, it could also carry out tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation.
The dynamic positioning system will make the ship remain static without mooring or at anchor for offshore pollution control operations.
The ship, 95 metres long and displacing 4,300 tonnes with a maximum speed of 20.5 knots in boost mode, has an endurance of 6,500 nautical miles and can stay at sea for over 20 days, he said. It can also operate helicopters from its deck.
Over 150 ships and crafts of different sizes have been ordered by the CG to various shipyards within the country for augmenting coastal security mechanism and duties which are entrusted with it. The delivery of these ships have started and this year three ships have already been inducted to the Eastern Seaboard and based in Chennai.
One more vessel is to be commissioned from Vishakapatnam on August 29, he said adding that every one-and-half months a ship could be commissioned.
Samudra Paheredar is commanded by Deputy Inspector General Iqbal Singh Chauhan and has a complement of 111 personnel, including 11 officers.
Source: The Hindu