Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Feb 24: 'Fugro Scout', a research vessel manufactured at Tebma Shipyard at its facility at Malpe near here, which was built for Fugro, an England-based company, sailed off to Singapore on Monday February 23.
MLA, Pramod Madhwaraj, flagged off the ship at Tebma Shipyards facility. Vice president of the company, P Abubakker, general manager, Sudhakar, and others were present. Madhwaraj in his address said that though he had earlier opposed the establishment of Tebma Shipyard as everyone felt it would affect the fishermen community, he is now convinced and happy that Tebma unit in Udupi has made become a ship manufacturing centre.
The ship will touch New Mangalore port before undertaking onward journey to Singapore. At Singapore, various equipment will be fitted and researchers from different countries will join the ship to fully equip it for the research work it is meant for.
This ship is made to accommodate 74 sailors. At present, 20 persons are navigating the ship. More people will join the ship once it touches Singapore shores. The ship is registered in Panama, and has the potential to be used as a cruise ship. Basically the ship is meant to conduct different researches at deep sea. The researches will cover different topics including deposits deep within the earth, research on the the surface of earth, water creatures, vegetation, coral reefs, pearls etc. When it is not being used for research, this ship can be used for carrying passengers.
The ship is equipped with hospital and mini ambulance and doctors, where minor surgeries can be performed. The ship is equipped with fire fighting equipment to handle exigencies in this ship or any neighbouring ships. It has 13 huge tanks which can be used to carry liquids including oil.
The company said that raw materials available in India have been mostly used in the building of this ship, although some imported items were used for interiors as per the specification of the owners. This research vessel was built in about 18 to 20 months period. Because of special system put in place, people travelling in the area meant for them will never feel any vibrations even when the ship cruises at top speed. For saving people from gliding on the ship's floor when the vessel is on the move, a special anti-skid chemical has been applied to the floor, it said.
The ship, which is 96 metres long and 20 metres wide, is provided with controls at three places from where all the machinery of the vessel can be operated and controlled. One such spot is near the machines, the second one at the centre of the ship, and the third is inside the cabin of the captain. The ship can turn 360 degrees when standing at a spot because of a unique technique. There is a well at the centre of the well, the lid of which can be opened, and through which submarines or other things can be lowered into the sea or lifted up. It also has capsule-shaped dinghies, which bloat when tossed into water, and can accommodated 15 to 25 people in case of emergency.
The company said that the first research vessel,'Fugro Voyager' built by it at Malpe had won the 'Best Research Vessel' award in Australia in 2014. The company has built over 154 ships since 1984, and 25 among them were buit in Malpe. A unique dredging vessel that will function at Mumbai port, which is being built here, will be ready for launch in a couple of months, the officials explained.