Indian assistance in Port survey |09 March 2006

The visit by the hydrographic survey vessel follows the September 2003 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Seychelles and Indian governments, according to a press release from the Indian High Commission.

The INS Sarvekshak was commissioned in January 2002, and the crew of 15 officers and 180 sailors are commanded by Captain T. K. Ashokan.

According to the High Commission, "Sarveshak is the latest hydrographic vessel and has an array of state of the art hydrographic equipment including four survey motorboats, one onboard helicopter, multi-beam echo sounder, DGPS and ADCP."

The statement adds that the vessel's, "primary role is to undertake hydrographic surveys required for production of nautical charts and publications both in paper and digital forms all aimed at improving maritime safety and in particular navigational safety at sea."

Described as "the most modern of eight survey ships of the Indian Navy," the Sarveshak – which means surveyor – will continue working in Seychelles waters until early April.