RESEARCH VESSELS.

A Research Vessel is the most essential tool for marine research and exploration. It is in fact considerable more than a tool. On an expedition or cruise it becomes a combination of a floating laboratory and home for scientists for periods as long as 45 days, and involves maintaining a delicate balance between crew members, scientists, equipment and that unpredictable component weather. The cost of operation of the vesselss is high and forms a substantial part of the budget of marine survey and exploration programme. Selection of a suitable vessel, proper planning of the cruises and optimum utilization of the vessels are therefore important to ensure maximum returns for the expenditure on vessels.

The post International Indian Oceab Expedition period, after a brief gap, saw the gradual development of a fleet of research and survey vessels in India. The first multi-disciplinary oceanographic research vessel " RV Gaveshani" was commissioned in december 1975 by the council of Scientific and industrial Research. After the successful collection of first polymetallic nodules during here 86th and 87th voyage, "R V Gaveshani" cruised 8 times in the Indian Ocean in search of the nodules.

The Central Indian Ocean Basin selected as the target area for the exploration for polymetallic nodules, is located some 2500 km from Goa, and requires 7 to 8 days sailing to reach and covers an area of approx. 8 million sq.km .Shiptime required for the reconnaissance surveys in this basin was estimated to be over 1000 ship days. The initial surveys were to be carried out at a 10 Km intervals. The quantum of work for the surveys was large and the work was specifically time targetted.

The first requirement for the surveys was the selection of a suitable vessel. An indepth study of the existing Indian research ans survey vessels indicated that these vessels with limited endurance and facilities were not suitable for the quantum of work. The alternate solution therefore was to charter additional vessels from the international market. Thus at various stages three vessels were chartered, after inviting global tenders.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT OF A SUITABLE VESSEL

As an example of the stringent requirements, given below are the specifications of a typical oceanographic vessel required for the project.

Length overall about 60 to 70 metres.
Breadth about 10 to 15 metres.
Draught about 4 to 5 metres.
Having stablising systems such as passive stabilising tanks and /or fin stabilisers to reduce at least 50 to 60% roll during turbulent weather conditions of the Indian ocean.
Endurance at sea more than 45 days
Economic speed of 10 to 12 knots having good manoeuvrability with variable pitch propellor and bow thruster. Should be able to carry out surveys at low speeds even at one knot as and when desired.
Radio telephone and telex facilities with ranges and freqiences for operation in the Indian Ocean region.
Fully air-conditioned accommodation for 15 to 20 scientists in addition to qualified officers and crew. A seperate lounge and /or day room with the requisite recreation facilities.
Free, unobstructed space of about 250 square metres unobstructed space on one side to facilitate coring operations.
Dynamic positioning system also should be available.
Deck machinery of the following description;
a) Winches
- Electrohydraulically operated winch with automatic spooling, tension and wire length measurement arrangement and having a capacity of 10,000 metres of 18 mm galvanised steel wire rope. The line pull on the winch of 15 to 20 tons with a variable speed arrangement of 0 to 80 metres/minute.
- Deck space to accommodate and facilitate operation of large towed bodies.
b) 'A' Frame :

Hydraulic 'A' frame having a 20 degrees ahead and 60 degrees astern nclination.

c) Jibboom:

Electrohydraulically extending and retracting type, with static load of 25 to 30 tons , extension and retraction load, 10 to 15 tons, and extension and retraction 3 to 5 metres away fro ship.

d) Gantry:

Midship gantry with deck to block height of 7 to 8 metres having a safe working load of 15 to 20 tons with inclinations of 20 degrees inside and 60 degrees outward.

e) Cranes:

Two cranes on aft deck:
- Crane with minimum outreach of 12 metres and a safe working load of 5 tons at maximu outreach, to be located midship and positioned in such a way to be accessible to any point
- Crane having an outreach of at least 6 metres and a safe working load of 3 tons at maximum outreach.
Provision for deep freeze for storage of samples.
Provision for dark room with water spply for photography.
Cargo hold having a storage capacity of 50 tons of samples and for storage of samples and equipment.
Workshop onboard for carryinhg out minor repairs having the following facilities:
a) Arc welding equipment and accessories.

b) Gas cutting equipment and accessories.

c) Drilling machine.

d) Grinder.

LABORATORIES

Dry Laboratories
- Area approx. 70 sq.meters, power supply: 115v, 230 v with 16A, 25 A and 40 A.
- Area approx. 35 sq.meters, power supply: 230 V/40 A, 390 V/60 A, 3-phase.
Wet Laboratory
Dimensions: 6 x 3 metres.

Power supply : 230 V/16A
Coring and general purpose laboratory
Dimensions: 7 x 3 metres, power supply 230 V/16A

All the above laboratories have to be fully air-conditioned with temp. between 15 and 20 C

SELECTION PROCESS

According to pre-determined plan of work during the charter period, specifications of a suitable vessel were published and quotations were invited. These quatations were screened by a Committee represented by the Department of Ocean Development, the Chartering Officer to the Govt. of India, the NIO, the Directorate General of Shipping, the Navy and other mariti,e agencies. The selection was based on

vessel satisfying all the requirements that are specified
vessels stability and capability of positioning for various operations
fuel economy and endurance and
cost effectiveness

While selecting, it was thought hat preference should be given to Indian vessels. This would have multifaceted benefits, such as

avoiding the payments in foerign exchange
support the building of research and survey vessels and modification of other vessels to suit scientific demands in India and
develop trained manpower to maintain research vessels equiped with sophisticated instruments.

However Only one Indian Vessel " Nand Ratna" responded. The Institute and the Department of Ocean Development were keen to have an Indian Vessel, but unfortunately this vessel and even with major modifications it would not have met the requirements for the deep sea surveys and had therefore to be rejected. As a consequence "chartered vessels " were used for the exploration.

RV GAVESHANI

" RV Gaveshani" was converted into a multidisciplinary research vessel in 1975 . It has been stabilized against rolling with passive tank stabilizers. The ship is air conditioned and equipped for carrying out physical, chemical, biological, geophysical geological oceanographic research, throughout the year. ( fig 13)

ORV SAGAR KANYA

The " ORV Sagar Kanya" was the result of the joint effors of the Indian and West German governments within the frame work of Indo-German Economic Co-operation. The government of FRG through it's Ministry of economic co-operation, extended financial co-operation (construction of the vessel) and technical co-operation (scientific equipment fitted on "Sagar Kanya") to the government of India. The vessel has been designed and equipped to the most modern and sophisticated standards in order to perform tasks with maximum possible efficiency (fig) 14). It is capable of carrying out geoscientific, meteorogical, biological, physical and chemical oceanographic research as mahor desciplines. The vessel is stabilised and capable of operating in all weather conditions including the monsoon period and is provided with all facilities to perform world wide voyages upto 10,000 kilometres. Fin stabilisers improve the behaviour of the ship even in rough seas, and the twing screw propulsion, two fin rudders and bow thrusters give the vessel excellent manoeuvring data from satellite navigator, (fig 15) Omega, Decca and other radio navigation systems and also from compas, echosounder, echolog and doppler as well as from gravimeter and magnetometer. From this computer system, the output can be taken on magenetic tapes in a number of combinations. The vessel has four laboratories on the second deck, five on the main deck and four on A and B decks, all equipped witih basic equipment. The vessel was delivered to the Department of Ocean Development, Govt. of India, on March 25th, 1983. Since then," ORV Sagar Kanya" has completed 40 cruises collecting oceanographic data and samples of the seabed, water column, plankton and fish from different depths and environmental data including meteorological parameters.

FIRST CHARTERED VESSEL

The descision for acceleration the exploration programme and the lack of an Indian vessel led to the charteiring of the Norwegian vessel "M.V.Skandi Surveyor" (fig 16). This Vessel was used in oil exploration and related work in the seas aroung Norway and was found suitable for the surveys. "MV Skandi Surveyor" arrived in Goa in August 1982 on a six months character. Since the quantum of work was large and the vessel's performance was satisfactory the charter period was extended upto 1983.

SECOND CHARTERED VESSEL

The second chartered vessel was of British origin and named Farnella ( fig 17). "MV Farnella" arrived in Mormugao on December 1982 and was on hire till the end of January 1984.

THIRD CHARTERED VESSEL

"MV GA Reay", also a British vessel, was chartered during 1985 for a period of six months (fig18). She arrived in April 1985 and completed six months charter by October 1985.

CRUISE PLANS

Various cruises on the vessels were planned both for short and long term needs of the exploration programme. The facilities and capabilities of the vessels were considered while planning the cruises. Most of the nodule sampling with free fall grabs and bulk sampling were carried out on chartered vessels whereas sediment samples were collected mainly on "ORV Sagar Kanya". The cruise plans were drawn in advance for a period of 6 months . The work onboard was carried out as per the plans, but on certain occasions the plans has to be altered because of several unforeseen circumstances.

From the time that the ship leaves the Mormugao port and till she returns 45 days elaps. Continous radio contact with the ship is maintained and consists of transmitting the progress of work and other related matter.( fig 20). The new information thus transmitted sometimes show the gaps which have to be filled by minor alternation of the cruise plan.

All the communication between the ship ans headquarters and ship to ship is in a coded form to maintain secrecy. Day to day monitoring of the project is also done after analysing the messages received through the radio telephone. These messages include the progress of work, weather conditions and any other information considered important.

An area of more than 4 million sq.km has been surveyed with 3 chartered vessels and 2 Indian vessels within a period of 6 years. The exploration programme included sampling of sediments and water at various intervals, collection of bulk samples and underway data such as bathymetry, gravity and magnetic anomalies and weather parameters.