The keel of the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation Ltd (KSINC)'s sea going vessel for tourists was laid today by Fisheries Minister K Babu.
The new vessel has been designed to accommodate 200 tourists, the minister said speaking at a function here.
It will be a suitable seagoing vessel registered under the Merchant Shipping Act as a class VI vessel and will comply with all the legal requirements applicable for passenger vessels under international marine conventions to ensure safety of passengers and controlling pollution.
The contract to build the vessel has been bagged by Waterways Shipyard (P) Ltd, who have yard here in Udupi.
A decade ago, the corporation entered the tourism sector with two flagship vessels called "Sagararani".
The new vessel is designed to have three decks. The first deck will have a performance/meeting/dance floor with well designed stage. The main deck will have the restaurant, video game parlour and children's play area. A full fledged kitchen, 3D theater and a mini conference room, an open area meant for sun bathing are among the facilties that would be available in the vessel.
The KSINC also has plans to build a container barge and a petroleum barge suitable for coastal operations and the government was extending all support for these ventures, he said.
