Paradip: In a first, Paradip Port authorities installed side- scan sonar systems for seabed imaging Friday. The side-scan sonar systems will produce near photographic-quality images of sea floor which will help the authorities get information about the seabed and help in construction of channels for movement of ships.
The side-scan sonar systems will give images about the seabed from 2.2 entrance channel through which ships move and till the extent of 10 km distance of the sea.
The sonar systems built with the technical knowhow from US will be the first in the country to be implemented by a major port.
Paradip Port is the second major port in the country. Earlier, such sonar system for seabed imaging was used only by the Indian Navy.
This was stated here by deputy conservator Captain Paul N Joseph, harbour masters captain Atulya Kumar Mohapatra and captain Souri Charan Sahu at a press meet Friday.
A private firm will be in charge of operating the system for which the authorities will spend at least Rs 30.30 crore for the purpose.
The side scan sonar systems installed on a modern survey launch will conduct bathymetric survey of the seabed and will give information about the status of the seawater.
Over Rs 9 crore has been spent in purchasing the launch while the sonar system was bought at Rs 1 crore. The port authorities will spend nearly Rs 83,000 daily in operation of the side-scan sonar system.
Sources said the depth of the seabed and the seawater undergoes rapid change due to various reasons. The seabed might get buried due to natural reasons and sometimes large stones and solid materials flow inside the channels.
The systems will regularly conduct surveys to keep the channels free from obstruction. The system will also help in detecting the status of sinking ships.
The port authorities narrated the sinking of the Mongolian cargo ship Blackrose in 2009 to substantiate their claims. It has been a year that the ship which was visible till its half has finally vanished in the sea.
Notably, the seawater has to remain 18.7 mtr deep for movement of ships and is dug up with excavators when the depth diminishes. Earlier, the port authorities used to conduct manual surveys of the seabed with a tugboat. PNN
