Annual Report 2009-2010 - Ministry Of Earth Sciences

University-Tamil Nadu, National Institute of
Oceanography-Goa, Central Marine Fisheries
Research Institute-Kochi, Cochin University of
Science and Technology-Kochi and Department
of Biotechnology- Andhra University participated
in these cruises. The focus of the scientific
cruises was: a) to understand the dynamics of
the harmful algal blooms occurring along the NW
coast during spring inter-monsoon and explain
the biogeochemical changes associated with
these blooms; b) to capture the spatio-temporal
progression of the Summer Monsoon upwelling
along the southwest coast and associated changes
in the productivity patterns; c) to understand
the abundance and distribution of fish eggs and
larvae in the up-welled waters; and d) assessment
of impact of closed fishing season (15 th June to 30 th
July) on marine benthos etc.
From mid October 2009, the vessel is under,
lay-up repair for installation of new winches
and associated hydraulic systems. The vessel is
expected to be operational from March 2010.
11.3 Technology Demonstration Vessel
(TDV) Sagar Nidhi
Technology Demonstration Vessel (TDV) Sagar
Nidhi (Fig. 11.1) is the latest addition to the fleet
of Scientific Research vessels. It is equipped with
technologically advanced scientific equipment
and associated facilities to undertake multidisciplinary
oceanographic research activities.
The vessel is equipped with dynamic positioning
Fig. 11.1: TDV Sagar Nidhi
system for precise operations at sea and has an
endurance of about 45 days to cruise up to 10,000
nautical miles at a stretch.
During the period April 2009 to February 2010, the
vessel has undertaken 14 scientific cruises, with the
participating scientists from INCOIS, Hyderabad;
NIO, Goa; IISc, Bangalore; IIT, Madras and NIOT,
Chennai. Launching of ROV to a depth of 3,000
meters; ADCP moorings; deployment and retrieval
of Tsunami Buoys; Bathymetric survey of Indian
EEZ and CTCZ studies are the main programmes
accomplished by the vessel during this period. It is
on Southern Ocean scientific cruise at present to
reach up to 67 degrees south latitude.
To mark the 50 th Anniversary of Inter-governmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, India
launched a dedicated Cruise during the period
14 th July to 18 th August, 2009 on-board TDV Sagar
Nidhi for conducting CTCZ experiments.
11.4 Buoy Tender Vessel (BTV) Sagar
Manjusha
Ocean Research cum Buoy Tender Vessel (BTV) Sagar
Manjusha was mostly deployed for ‘transportation of
heavy machinery and equipment for establishment
and commissioning of desalination plants to
generate fresh water’ at the Agathi, the Minicoy and
the Androth Islands during the period. It was also
deployed for “Supra Project” undertaken by NIO,
Goa, which involved ADCP mooring and retrieval
for data collection and servicing.
11.5 Coastal Research Vessels (CRV)
Sagar Purvi and CRV Sagar Paschimi
Coastal Research Vessel (CRV) Sagar Purvi and
CRV Sagar Paschimi 16 and 14 scientific cruises
respectively, during the period April 2009 to
December 2009.
• CRVs were deployed for COMAPS programme
in the East and West Coast of India. (CAS
–Annamalai; NIO RC, Visakhapatnam; IMM,
Bhubaneswar; CESS, Thiruvananthapuram;
NIO-Goa and NIO Mumbai regional centre).
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