DG GSI reviewed the activities and operations of MCSD onboard Samudra Ratnakar

DG GSI reviewed the activities and operations of MCSD onboard Samudra Ratnakar. The Marine & Coastal Survey Division of the Geological Survey of India, the 171 year old premier geo-scientific research organisation, has been actively involved in exploring the oceans around India. Their work mainly revolves around seabed mapping, baseline data generation and follow up offshore exploration along with collection of surface sediment samples, bathymetric, magnetic, gravity, sub bottom/ seismic, water quality, temperature, conductivity data. Shri. R. S. Garkhal, Director General, Geological Survey of India (DG, GSI) visited the GSI’s state of the art Research Vessel Samudra Ratnakar from 23rd to 24th October, 2021 to review the activities and operations of the Marine & Coastal Survey Division (MCSD). He was accompanied by officers from PSS-P&M Division, CHQ and MCSD. They boarded the vessel from Port Blair on 23rd October and sailed to Barren Island. The MCSD officers demonstrated live data acquisition of Single beam and Multi-beam Echo Sounder, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler, Gravimeter etc. and operations of various scientific equipment, like Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), Core Scanners etc. to Shri Garkhal. The ROV was lowered into the Ocean near Barren Island, and live scanning of the ocean floor was carried out at a depth of approximately 630 metres. Interpretations of surface and subsurface profile and its application for generating various thematic maps were also demonstrated. The operations of various engine, deck and navigational equipment and machineries were also shown by the officers and crew members of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and the support team from M/s Norinco and Seapol.Shri. Garkhal also sought information about overall ship management to overcome various natural calamities and its effect on scientific data acquisition while they were sailing. The trip successfully concluded at Port Blair on 24th October, 2021. #GSI