The 1st pollution-control warship arrivesThe 1st pollution-control warship arrives

KARWAR: Samudra Prahari, the first-ever pollution controlled warship, arrived at Karwar from Mumbai on Thursday. The ship was commissioned on October 9.

The warship has two sophisticated equipments to control oil spillage and pollution and it is the first such warship in Asia and third in the world. This ship will help control oil pollution, provide deep sea protection and security to the coast. Manoj Badkar, deputy inspector general and commanding officer, is the in charge of the ship. Badkar hails from Karwar.

Speaking to the media, Badkar said the ship started its work from Karwar and he expressed his happiness about it. He said it will help the coast guard to make west coast more secure. He said, "This ship will move to the coast of Maharashtra and Kerala. The coast guard has formulated the plans to control the oil spillage and security."

He said there was no incidence of ship accidents, oil spillage in the Karnataka coast.

Explaining the working of the warship, Badkar said in case of the oil spillage the two boats set on both sides of the ship will spread the oil controlling booms in a circular manner and block the oil from mixing with water. In another method, the chemicals will be sprayed on the oil, which converts it to a solid material, which will sink. Chetak and other light-weight helicopters can land on the ship. Five high-speed boats are also fixed in the ship, he said.

The ship has centralized control system and a special type of electric management system.

Courtesy : The Times Of India, Oct 21,2010