INS Darshak, a hydrographic survey ship of Indian Eastern Naval Command, sailed out of Visakhapatnam for a two-month long deployment for undertaking joint hydrographic surveys along with the Sri Lankan Navy.
The pioneer surveys will be conducted with Sri Lankan Naval personnel embarked on board INS Darshak.
During the course of survey, training of Sri Lankan personnel will also be undertaken on advanced hydrographic practices. The ship will visit Colombo and Galle harbours and undertake several joint exercises with the Sri Lankan Navy.
INS Darshak is a specialised survey ship of the Indian Navy, fitted with the latest state-of-the-art survey equipment like multi beam system, side scan sonar and a fully automated digital surveying and processing system.
In addition, the ship is also carrying an integral Chetak helicopter which would be extensively deployed during the course of survey.
INS Darshak is the first of the Darshak class of ships and has a complement of 20 officers and 200 sailors and is presently commanded by Captain Peush Pawsey.
The ship has the unique distinction of having undertaken various foreign cooperation surveys in the last few years in Mauritius, Seychelles, Myanmar, Mozambique and Tanzania.
The Hindu
-Agencies
