The state-of-the-art Geo Technical Research Vessel (GTRV) ‘Fugro Scout’ manufactured by Tebma Shipyards Ltd. set sail to Singapore via New Mangalore Port from Malpe fisheries harbour here on Monday.

The company constructed the GTRV in 18 months and delivered it to The Netherlands-based company Fugro here. The Fugro Scout has been registered in Panama and will function under its flag. It was constructed at a cost of Rs. 240 crore.

The vessel is a mini-drill ship capable of drawing soil samples up to 3 km below the sea bed for exploration of oil, natural gas and other resources. When the vessel was flagged off by Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, there was a loud applause, lot of cheering and waving of hands.

P. Aboobacker, Vice President – Operations, Tebma Shipyards, said the entire ship was constructed at its shipyard here. Since beginning operations in Malpe port in 2008, the company had built 18 vessels.

These 18 vessels included 10 tugs for the Indian Navy, while the remaining vessels were built for commercial purposes. “This is the second GTRV we have built for Fugro. The first one – ‘Fugro Voyager’, was awarded the ‘Best Research Vessel of 2014’ by the magazine ‘Work Boat World’,” he said.

Efficient ship

The Fugro Scout is powered by diesel electrical propulsion systems driven by active front-end drives for best fuel efficient operation. The vessel has an automated pipe and tool-handling equipment to promote safe drilling floor operations for sea bed sampling and testing.

Graeme Alexander, Project Director of GTRVs, Fugro, said the Fugro Scout would start its work in Vietnam in May. Then it was expected to sail to Iceland.

Mr. Madhwaraj said Tebma Shipyards had donated Rs. 1.10 crore for the construction of slipway for the third stage of Malpe fisheries harbour. “We want the company to do more for the fishermen here under their corporate social responsibility schemes,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Ganesh Prabhu / Udupi – February 24th, 2015