AMN / KOLKATA
‘Sandhayak’, the first of the four Survey Vessels (Large) Project being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for Indian Navy was launched today.
The erstwhile Sandhayak incidentally was also launched at GRSE, Kolkata 44 years ago on 6 Apr 1977.
The “Sandhayak” a by Smt Pushpa Bhatt, wife of Shri Ajay Bhatt, Raksha Rajya Mantri, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, Vice Admiral Adhir Arora, Chief Hydrographer to the Govt of India, Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena (IN, Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, Cmde Sanjeev Nayyar, IN(Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, Cmde PR Hari, IN(Retd), Director (Personnel), GRSE, Shri RK Dash, Director (Finance), GRSE, other Senior Officials of GRSE, Indian Armed Forces and Industry were present at the occasion.
The ‘Launch’ symbolizes the “birth” of the ship as she makes her first contact with water and is floated out for from her building berth. The ceremony was conducted in true maritime traditions with the application of vermillion, breaking of coconut on the ship’s bow and chanting of vedic mantras.
These survey ships are capable of full scale coastal & deep-water hydrographic survey of Ports & Harbor approaches & determination of navigational channels & routes.
In addition, these ships are also capable of undertaking survey of Maritime limits and collection of Oceanographic & Geographical data for Defence applications, thus boost the maritime capabilities of the country. These ships are propelled by two Marine Diesel Engines combined with Fixed Pitch Propellers and fitted with Bow & Stern Thrusters for maneuvering at low speeds during surveys. The ships are fully designed by the Design team of GRSE to meet the requirements of the Indian Navy and are being built & outfitted utilising the concepts of ‘Integrated Construction’ and in compliance with applicable provisions and regulations of the Classification Society (IRS).