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Samudra Pratap
Context:
Raksha Rajya Mantri launched the first indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel, named Samudra Pratap, on 29th August 2024 in Goa.
More on News:
- The vessel was built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
- It is the first vessel designed to address oil spillage along India’s coastlines, contributing to pollution control efforts.
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Oil Spill refers to uncontrolled discharge of crude oil, gasoline, fuel, or other oil by-products into the environment, primarily affecting marine areas. This term typically pertains to spills in oceans or coastal waters, although spills can also happen on land. Oil Spills can occur primarily due to the following reasons: Human errors or negligence, Technical failures, Management mistakes, Deliberate actions such as terrorism, conflicts, vandalism, or illegal dumping. |
Key Highlights:
- Samudra Pratap is a significant achievement in India’s quest for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with an indigenous content of 72%.
- The country’s emergence as the fifth largest economy and its strides towards self-sufficiency (Aatmanirbhar) in defence production.
- GSL, a leading Indian shipyard, signed a Rs 583 crore contract to build two Pollution Control Vessels for the ICG.
- The ship is 114.5 metres long, 16.5 metres wide, and displaces 4,170 tons. The keel-laying ceremony for the vessel took place on 21st November 2022.
- It will be manned by 14 officers and 115 sailors.
- It includes side-sweeping arms for oil spill containment, an advanced radar system for oil spill detection, and facilities for oil recovery and storage.
Significance:
- A significant achievement in India’s shipbuilding capabilities, positioning GSL among Indian shipyards capable of producing advanced Pollution Control Vessels.
- The vessel enhances the Indian Coast Guard’s ability to manage oil spill response operations within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond.
- The launch reflects a successful collaboration between GSL and the Indian Coast Guard, which has previously resulted in the construction of 18 out of the 25 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) operated by the Coast Guard.