In an attempt to mitigate oil spill and control sea pollution, a pollution control vessel (PCV) will soon join the Eastern fleet of Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The giant ship, Samudra Paheredar weighing 4,000 tonnes and 95 metres long, will reach Chennai on August 21, said Inspector general Satya Prakash Sharma, regional commander, ICG Region (East), on the sidelines of the National Maritime Foundation and FICCI’s brainstorming session on coastal security here on Friday.
Built in Surat, the Samudra Paheredar is the second PCV to be commissioned in India. The first-of-its-kind vessel in South East Asia, it was commissioned in October 2010 and had been stationed in Mumbai.
“The PCV will address the critical requirement of capacity building in the area of pollution response. The ship is equipped with the most advanced equipment for mitigating oil spills...” said Mr Sharma.
He explained that the ship is capable of unhindered oil recovery operations with storage tank capacity of 500 KL in addition to inflatable barges. “Our aircraft are fitted with Forward Looking infrared cameras that can scan and pick up oil spill,” he said, adding that fishermen and mariners are also ICG’s source.
Mr Sharma said ICG is working with the Chennai Port Trust to enhance berthing facilities in the city.
An emergency-towing vessel (ETV) would join the Eastern fleet in two years. “An ETV will help push back vessels with an engine failure and those drifting towards the shore,” he added.
Ficci facilitates coastal safety
The Indian chapter of International Search and Rescue Facilitation Organisation (Insarfo) was launched at a brain storming session organised by the National Maritime Foundation and FICCI at Seafarers Club here on Friday.
Insarfo was created by a body of Search and Rescue (SAR) professionals in Malaysia, who are well trained and ready to assist formal and official organisations in the effective delivery of SAR functions.
In most countries, the SAR function is considered as a sub set of the disaster management responsibilities of the state.
Further, it is also believed to be the job of one of the Armed Forces, because assets required for SAR like ships, aircraft and human resources are readily available with them.
“To seek the support of established government, industry and social service organisations, we have decided to adopt a constitution of Insarfo under the aegis of the Maritime Strategies Panel of FICCI, southern regional council,” said retired commodore S. Shekhar.
FICCI advisor-president P. Murari said FICCI would support the entire initiative.
“We will soon take it to the FICCI national forum and also to the ministry of external affairs and the defence ministry.
“We are also looking at involving private sector,” Mr Murari added.