Sagar Nidhi

Why is in news? Maiden embarkation of scientists onboard India’s research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’ – Colombo Security Conclave

In a landmark event concerning maritime collaboration under the framework of Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) between the nations of Indian Ocean Region, scientists from Bangladesh and Mauritius embarked onboard India’s research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’ on 29 June 2023 to participate in the joint ocean expedition spanning nearly 35 days.

The cruise is conducted by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under Ministry of Earth Sciences.

It is an outcome of the maiden CSC Oceanographers and Hydrographers conference held at Goa and Hyderabad in November 2022.

During the expedition, the scientists will collaboratively undertake research on the ocean data to predict and manage changes in the marine environment and variation in ocean parameters.

Research vessel ‘Sagar Nidhi’:

It was commissioned in 2008 for the country's marine research programme.

It is the third research vessel after Sagar Purvi and Sagar Paschimi.

The vessel is capable of carrying out geo-scientific, meteorological and oceanographic research, and is designed with blue-water capability with ranges of up to 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km) for voyages lasting up to 45 days.

A blue-water capability refers to an oceangoing fleet able to operate on the high seas far from its nation's home ports.

It is the first Indian flagged research ship that reached the 66°S latitude [Antarctic waters], facing 11 storms and 73 nm/hr wind speed, witnessing nature’s harshest conditions.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences has, at present 6 ships, Sagar Nidhi, Sagar Manjusha, Sagar Kanya, Sagar Sampada, Sagar Tara & Sagar Anveshika, which are used for many ocean studies and applications including ocean observations.

Significance:

Research Vessels (Ships) are required for exploration and harnessing ocean resources for the Blue Economy and participation in search and rescue operations, more specifically for the implementation of the Deep Ocean Mission.

It is used for launching tsunami monitoring systems and remotely operable vehicles, for identifying mines and gas hydrates

It will also be used for conducting oceanic studies on the fuel of the future gas hydrates and search for scientific evidence about origin of life and cures for chronic diseases (Diseases that last one year or more).