GSI acquires Rs 600 cr vessel for ocean research

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has acquired a ship, Samudra Ratnakar, for about Rs 600 crore for undertaking deep-sea surveys and exploration of mineral assets lying under water.

The research vessel, which was delivered last month by Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea, is equipped with latest technological instruments and GSI has plans to keep about 50 scientists on board for data collection from the deep-sea, a senior GSI official said here.

"With the induction of Samudra Ratnakar, the GSI is embarking upon a new chapter in its history... For the first time, we will be entering into deep-sea waters for survey and exploration," the official further said.

The ship, having a capacity of 2,700 DWT, can sail continuously for about 45 days and is likely to be docked at Chennai port. For its operations, maintenance and management, the GSI has entered into an agreement with the Shipping Corporation of India.

"The research vessel, currently docked at the Kandla port, is expected to be dedicated to the nation by Mines Minister Dinsha Patel within next one or two weeks," he said.

Till now, GSI has surveyed more than 95 per cent of the 2,012 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including about 1,05,000 sq km of territorial waters (TW) of India.

The surveys have been done in the coastal waters of Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Andaman-Nicobar and northern part of Indian Ocean through its fleet of three ships and vessels --R V Samudra Manthan, R V Samudra Kaustubh and R V Samudra Shaudhikama.

The research agency has conducted over 700 cruises to collect data on India's coastal waters and maintains a dedicated multidisciplinary marine wing, having offices in Mangalore, Chennai, Vishakhapatnam, Cochin, Kolkata, Gandhinagar and Bhubaneswar.