On January 9, 2021, Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Harsh Vardhan launched Coastal Research Vehicle (CRV) ‘Sagar Anveshika’ at the Chennai Port. The vehicle will be used to carry out environment indexing and bathymetric (mapping underwater features) in both coastal and offshore waters. It will be used for research purposes by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and has been built by Titagarh Wagons, Kolkata, West Bengal.
i.Anveshika has been built under Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass) and is a DP (Dynamic Positioning)-Capable vessel.
ii.NIOT already has 6 Research Vessels – Sagar Kanya, Sagar Sampada, Sagar Nidhi, Sagar Manusha, & Sagar Tara.
Key Points:
i.Anveshika will add to the capacity and capability for exploring the ocean which is a huge source of water, energy, food, minerals.
ii.Utilizing the Research Vehicle, Marine Scientists can travel six kilometers below the sea.
iii.The scientists can also stay underwater for more than 16 hours to conduct research activities.
iv.Anveshika will enable scientists to conduct various oceanographic research missions aboard, it houses modern laboratories equipped with the latest instruments.
Sagar Tara & Sagar Anveshika:
Sagar Tara (launched in 2019) & Sagar Anveshika will replace the 2 Old CRV Sagar Purvi & Sagar Sagar Paschimi.
About National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT):
Director – Dr G A Ramadass
Location – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
