Indian Navy’s submarine INS Sindhughosh grounded inside Mumbai

[indian_foxhound]

For the Indian Navy’s submarine arm, already reeling under a crisis of numbers, Friday evening got a very rude jolt. A Kilo-class submarine, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sindhughosh, while returning into the harbour, inside the naval dockyard, hit the ground and remained there. At the time of the incident, it was fully armed, carrying its entire compliment of nearly 70 personnel all of whom are reported safe.

When reached for a confirmation, a naval spokesperson denied this development.

However, confirmed information suggested that the incident had indeed taken place on account of the receding tide at around 5:30pm. It was also learnt that the submarine was to initially enter the harbour by 4pm, it got delayed and by then the low tide had set in.

As per the Mumbai’s municipal authorities, the timing for peak high tide on January 17 was at 1254hours to the height of 3.80m after which the tide began falling and it was at its lowest of 0.74m at 1847hours.

It was also learnt that at the time of writing, efforts were on from the Navy’s side to salvage the submarine inhouse using tugs and other equipment, to be used in tandem with the tide rising.

There is a possibility that owing to this, damage could occur to the sonar system as well as other parts of the hull. It was not immediately clear as to how deep the damage was.

- INS Sindhughosh is a Kilo-class submarine Type 877EKM, made in Russia

- INS Sindhughosh specialises in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities

- Has diesel-electric propulsion system

- INS Sindhughosh was the first of its class to be inducted into the Indian Navy

Read more at: Indian Navy's submarine INS Sindhughosh grounded inside Mumbai harbour, salvage operation begins : West, News - India Today
Indian Navy’s submarine INS Sindhughosh grounded inside Mumbai harbour, salvage operation begins | idrw.org

 

[IND151]

In the late hours of Friday, the Indian Navy had a narrow escape from what could have become a major embarrassment following the loss of INS Sindhurakshak in August, last year. Another of its Kilo-class ship, the INS Sindhughosh which ran aground while on its way into the harbour, was salvaged, re-floated and taken alongside her berth inside the Mumbai-based Naval Dockyard. It was also learnt that neither the boat nor its crew had reported any damage/loss. This portal was the first to report on the incident of the ship running aground on Friday afternoon.

In a marked change from its earlier position, the Indian Navy too admitted that an incident had indeed taken place but said that the boat did not run aground.

However, it was reliably learnt that an elaborate effort had gone into getting the submarine to re-float. This effort, which involved tugs was coordinated with the rise in tide. "In Mumbai, there is a serious problem of siltation which effectively reduces the depth of waters. This boat had to enter at a certain time, keeping the tide in mind, got a little late in entering which is when it had to face a bit of problem. It remained grounded for a very short while and we have managed to recover it without any trouble," said a source familiar with the effort gone in.

Apprehension was expressed if this incident had damaged the ship's hull as well as the sonar system, since the two were exposed to the ground. It was learnt that no decision had been taken with regards to whether the boat would be dry docked for an examination or not. It was also not immediately clear whether the navy was going to launch a Board of Inquiry (BoI) into the incident or not.

Indian Navy's conventional underwater capability, demonstrated by its German and Russian diesel-electric submarine fleet, is on the decline with numbers dwindling and replacements taking beyond what was prescribed. Sources also indicated that at present was the 'campaign season' in which a submarine exercises its manoeuvres, fire power and goes to sea for a complete work-up. "It is being hoped that there is no impact on the INS Sindhughosh from this incident," said a source.
Facts about INS Sindhughosh

• It is one of the most advanced submarines that the Indian Navy uses

• Commissioned on April 30, 1986, its pennant is S55

• It has a displacement of 3000 tonnes & maximum diving depth of 300m

• Top speed is 18 nautical miles per hour and carries a crew of 53

• Length - 72.6m

• In 2008, the INS Sindhughosh had a 'brush' with merchant ship MV Leeds in the north Arabian sea, suffering damage

Read more at: Navy salvages submarine INS Sindhughosh stuck off Mumbai coast : West, News - India Today