Indian-built Catamaran Survey Ship Inducted

[Paan Singh]

The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha commissioned INS Makar into the Indian Navy today. Makar is a catamaran hydrographic survey vessel and is the first of its kind to be inducted in the Indian Navy. The vessel is indigenously built by Alcock Ashdown Gujarat Ltd. The primary role of the ship is to undertake hydrographic surveys, required for production of nautical charts and publications aimed at improving navigational safety at sea. Makar is equipped with an array of modern surveying equipment and also undertake limited oceanographic surveys towards providing marine environmental data.

The ship is propelled by four Cummins engines as well as two bow thrusters. The ship has two survey motor boats. Her equipment outfit for hydrographic survey includes Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for closer investigations, advanced Electronic Positioning System, Multibeam Swath Sounding Systems and Sub Bottom Profiler. She also has a full range of the latest oceanographic and land survey equipment.

Accommodation for six officers and 44 sailors incorporates advanced ergonomic design and ensures crew comfort and space management. The ship has enhanced Indian Navy's already existing world class sea/ocean survey capability