Indian Defence Review

First indigenously built Catamaran Hull Hydrographic Survey Vessel of Indian Navy Commissioned as INS Makar at Karwar Naval Base.

The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha commissioned INS Makar into the Indian Navy today. Makar is a Catamaran Hydrographic Survey Vessel and is the first of its kind to be inducted in the Indian Navy. The Vessel is indigenously built by Alcock Ashdown Gujarat Ltd. INS Makar is another statement of the potential of the indigenous Warship Building Industry.

INS Makar also marks a new chapter in the annals of Hydrography in our country. The primary role of the ship is to undertake Hydrographic surveys, required for production of nautical charts and publications aimed at improving navigational safety at sea. She is equipped with an array of modern surveying equipment and also undertake limited oceanographic surveys towards providing marine environmental data.

The ship is propelled by four engines of M/s Cummins make as well as two bow thrusters. The ship has two Survey Motor Boats. The entire propulsion, navigational and power management packages of the Vessel are integrated in a single state-of-art system called Integrated Platform Management System.

Her impressive equipment outfit for hydrographic survey includes Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for closer investigations, advanced Electronic Positioning System, Multibeam Swath Sounding Systems and Sub Bottom Profiler. She also has a full range of latest oceanographic and land survey equipment.

The accommodation for the six officers and 44 sailors incorporates advanced ergonomic design and ensures crew comfort and space management. The ship has enhanced Indian Navy’s already existing world class sea/ocean survey capability.

INS Makar