SAMUDRA PRATAP (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Recently, Raksha Rajya Mantri launched of the first indigenously built Pollution Control Vessel (Samudra Pratap) in Goa.

Samudra Pratap

• About: It is a Pollution Control Vessel, specifically designed to combat oil spills and pollution along India’s coastlines.
• The first to be designed and constructed entirely within India.
• Built by: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• Features:

o Samudra Pratap’ boasts a length of 114.5 meters, a breadth of 16.5 meters, and a displacement of 4,170 tons. 

o The vessel will be manned by 14 officers and 115 sailors and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for pollution control. 

o Notably, it features side-sweeping arms to contain oil spills while in motion, an advanced radar system for oil spill detection, and facilities to recover and store various types of oil.

o This vessel, with an indigenous content of 72%, underscores India’s growing capability in shipbuilding and technological advancement.

• Significance:

o Highlights India’s advancing shipbuilding capabilities, signalling a new era in the country’s maritime defence.

o The project has also played a crucial role in skill development and employment generation within the local industry and MSMEs, further contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

o The vessel is a crucial addition to the Indian Coast Guard’s fleet, enhancing its capacity to manage oil spill response operations in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond.