Sophisticated research vessel for NARA

by Mohammed NAALIR

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) will deploy its sophisticated research vessel "RV Samudrika" along Sri Lanka's coastal belt by September.

All arrangements to deploy this vessel is under way, Dr. S.G. Samarasundara, Chairman, NARA told the Sunday Observer.

This vessel possesses the ability to conduct a wide range of ocean-based research, according to Dr. Samarasundara.

He expressed confidence that this ship will provide valuable services to the country.

Deployment of such a vessel will certainly help Sri Lanka to become a maritime hub in Asia, achieving some of the goals set out in the Mahinda Chinthana, Dr. Samarasundara said.

He said during the 1980s, a medium-sized vessel named 'RV Samudra Maru' was used to conduct NARA's ocean-based research. By 1997 this was replaced by 'SV Sayuri' which also engaged in research on the Sri Lankan seabed. Unfortunately this vessel was capsized by the tsunami in 2004. Since then, NARA had no vessel to conduct the mandatory surveys and sea-borne research.

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has instructed NARA and Ministry officials to take steps to deploy this vessel soon, due to its national importance and to conduct ocean survey for NARA.

The 25-metre long and six-metre wide new vessel is being built in Taiwan. The cost of the vessel is almost Rs. 250 million. She will be equipped with modern equipment such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, Multi Beam Echo Sounders, CTD, Side Scan Sonars, DGPS, a Wet Lab and a Dry Lab.

The vessel will have the capability of collecting physical parameters of the water column up to depths of 3000m.

The data collected by this research vessel will be used for publications of hydrographic data and nautical information on near shore, offshore and inland waters. The sea-borne research activities being planned to be carried out by this vessel will enhance the applications of hydrographic and oceanographic data in the advancement of the sector and also be a great advantage for the development of aquatic resources and the fishing industry of Sri Lanka.

NARA has already launched the National Nautical Charting Program to update and produce new nautical charts around Sri Lankan waters.

Under this program all nautical charts of main sea ports such as Colombo, Galle and Trincomalee as well as various other fisheries harbours such as Tangalle, Beruwala, Mirissa and Weligama were updated. NARA has also developed the new nautical charts for the approach of the Hambantota Port which is in good demand by international companies.

The deployment of this vessel will enhance NARA's capabilities in seabed mapping, Dr. Samarasundara noted.

Oceanography studies in canyons, resource survey on coastal habitats in shallow waters, production measurement in light regimes of offshore waters in Sri Lanka and various other surveys will be conducted by this vessel, according Dr. Samarasundara.

He added that this vessel will be an asset for the nation and local and international institutes may jointly work with NARA in using this as a common platform for research work.