Ocean Research Vessel- Sagar Nidhi

Context

Recently, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences visited the Indian Subcontinent’s Pioneer Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) Ship Sagar Nidhi.

• Earlier, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched India’s first manned ocean mission “Samudrayaan” in Chennai.

Key-Points

• It was commissioned in 2008 for the country's marine research programme. 
• It is the third research vessel behind Sagar Purvi and SagarPaschimi.
• The ship is capable of conducting geo-scientific, meteorological and oceanographic research, and is designed with blue water capability with range of up to 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km) in a voyage of lasting upto 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  to land at 66 ° S latitude [in Antarctic waters], facing 11 storms and wind speeds of 73 nm / hr, witnessing extremely difficult natural conditions.
• MoES currently has 6 ships, SagarNidhi, SagarManjusha, SagarKanya, SagarSampada, Sagar Tara and SagarAnveshika, used for many ocean studies and applications including ocean observation.

Significance

• Research vessels (Ships) are needed to test and use ocean resources in the blue Economy and to participate in search and rescue operations, especially in order to launch the Deep Ocean mission.
• It is used to introduce tsunami monitoring systems and remote vehicles, to identify mines and gas hydrates.
• It will also be used to conduct oceanic studies on future gas hydrates and require scientific proof of the origin of life and the treatment of chronic diseases (Diseases lasting one year or more).

About Mission "Samudrayaan"

• It is India’s first unique manned ocean mission that aims to send men into the deep sea in a submersible vehicle for deep-ocean exploration and mining of rare minerals.
• It will send three persons in a manned submersible vehicle MATSYA 6000 to a depth of 6000 meters into the sea for deep underwater studies.
• It is a part of the Deep Ocean Mission which aims to explore the deep ocean for resources, develop deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources, and support the Blue Economy Initiatives of the Indian Government.