‘Ikshak’, the third of the four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project being built for the Indian Navy was launched on Saturday at Kattupalli in Chennai.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the ‘Ikshak’ made her first contact with the Bay of Bengal’s at 10.40 a.m. during a launch ceremony attended by Vice Admiral M.A. Hampiholi, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command.
In keeping with Naval maritime tradition, Madhumati Hampiholi, M.A. Hampiholi’s wife, launched the ship to the chanting of an Atharva Vedic invocation.
The ship’s name is ‘Ikshak,’ which means ‘Guide.’
The ship was named to represent the Survey ships’ contribution to ensuring the safety of mariners at sea.
On December 5, 2021, the first of the class ship, ‘Sandhayak,’ was launched at GRSE, Kolkata.
To collect oceanographic data, SVL ships will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships with new generation hydrographic equipment.
The Survey Vessel (Large) ships are 110 meters long and 16 meters wide, with a deep displacement of 3,400 tons and a crew of 231 people, according to a press release.
Source:OCN