Survey Ship Sandhayak: A Cutting-Edge Vessel for Marine Surveys

The Indian Navy received the initial vessel in a series of four large survey ships, named Sandhayak, manufactured by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.

This delivery enhances the Navy's capacity to gather vital oceanographic and geophysical data, serving both military defense and civilian purposes. According to the Ministry of Defence's official statement, Sandhayak boasts an impressive 80 percent indigenous content by cost.

Survey Ship: Sandhayak

Sandhayak: The Role and Features

• The ship's main purpose would be to conduct comprehensive coastal and deep-water Hydrographic Surveys of Port/Harbour approaches and determine navigational channels/routes.

• Its operational zone covers maritime limits up to EEZ/extended continental shelf. In addition to collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for defense and civil applications, the ship will also serve as a limited defense vessel and function as a hospital ship during times of war and emergencies.

• The ship has a displacement of approximately 3400 tons and an overall length of 110 meters.

• It is equipped with cutting-edge hydrographic equipment, including a Data Acquisition and Processing System, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, a Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS Long range positioning systems, and digital side scan sonar.

• Equipped with twin diesel engines, the vessel has the ability to reach speeds exceeding 18 knots.

Prior to its handover to the Indian Navy, the ship underwent a thorough series of trials both in port and out at sea. The construction of the ship commenced on March 12, 2019, and it was successfully launched on December 5, 2021.

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