The navies of India and Sri Lanka have successfully completed the second phase of the joint oceanographic survey conducted by them off the South Western Coast of Sri Lanka and handed over the survey charts to the Commander of the Navy yesterday (Dec 19).
The second phase of the Joint Hydrographic Survey, which commenced on 26 October 2017 with the arrival of Indian Naval Ship Sutlej in Sri Lanka, came to a successful end today (19 December), the Navy Media Unit said.
Accordingly, the prepared fair sheet containing the soundings from the hydrographic survey was handed over to the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe by the Commanding Officer INS Sutlej, Captain Tribhuvan Singh at the Naval Headquarters. Chief Hydrography Officer of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Sisira Jayakody and Defense Attaché to the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, Captain Ashok Rao were also present on this occasion.
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The aim of the joint survey is to update all the navigational charts covering the southern Sri Lankan waters with the latest hydrographic data and to further cooperation between the two countries in the field of hydrography.
The survey extended to a depth contour of 200 m from the coastline, ranging from Colombo to Galle. The initiative helped in identification of the changes of morphology due to devastating effect of Tsunami in year 2004 and bringing up to date information with regard to constructions including small harbors, break waters etc. that have come up along the coast.
The first phase of the joint Hydrographic survey was conducted from 29 March to 11 May 2017 in the southern seas. Indian Navy’s hydrographic survey ship INS Darshak, fitted with the latest state of the art survey equipment, conducted the survey with the personnel from Survey Branch of the Sri Lanka Navy onboard the ship.
The third phase of the survey is scheduled to be carried out from Great Basses to Sangamankanda next year, the Navy said.
The updated nautical/hydrographic information obtained from the surveys will replace centuries old nautical/hydrographic data available in the existing relevant nautical charts at present.
The move will benefit the large international shipping traffic passing the southern coast of Sri Lanka and will certainly pave the way for blue economy.
