The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): The Indian Navy is gearing up for the commissioning of its latest Survey Vessel, Sandhayak, scheduled for 03 February 2024 at the Naval Dockyard in Vizag. The commissioning ceremony will be graced by the Hon’ble Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, along with prominent naval officials including Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, FOC-in-C Eastern Naval Command, as well as senior officers from the Navy and GRSE officials. This event marks the formal induction of the first of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships into the Navy, a project overseen by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy and constructed at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Sandhayak, delivered to the Indian Navy on 04 December 2023, has undergone extensive and comprehensive testing both in harbor and at sea. The vessel’s primary function is to conduct full-scale hydrographic surveys, encompassing ports, harbors, navigational channels/routes, coastal areas, and deep seas. These surveys are crucial for ensuring safe marine navigation. Additionally, Sandhayak is equipped to perform a variety of naval operations in its secondary role.
As a significant addition to the naval fleet, Sandhayak boasts advanced hydrographic equipment. This includes Deep & Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo-Sounders, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, a Remotely Operated Vehicle, Side Scan Sonars, a Data Acquisition and Processing System, satellite-based positioning systems, and terrestrial survey equipment. The ship is a reincarnation of the former Sandhayak, which was decommissioned on 04 June 2021, and is powered by two Diesel Engines, capable of exceeding speeds of 18 knots. Measuring 110 meters in length and displacing 3400 tons, Sandhayak is a shining example of India’s shipbuilding capabilities. With 80% indigenous content, it stands as a testament to the national vision of AatmaNirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). The vessel symbolizes India’s stride towards development, aligning with the national vision for Amrit Kaal, a period of national rejuvenation and prosperity.
