The Indian Navy has sought the assistance of Reliance Industries in undertaking underwater videography of TRV 72, the torpedo recovery vessel that sank about 38 nautical miles off Visakhapatnam coast on November 6, by deploying a Remotely Operated Vessel (ROV) on Tuesday.
MV Olympic Canyon, chartered vessel of Reliance Industries, which is used for offshore work in the Krishna-Godavari Basin, is equipped with ROV and has the capacity of operating up to the depth of 1000 meters.
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As per the initial reports, the wreck of TRV 72 has been observed to in upright position at a depth of about 370 meters. Navy will now analyse the video footage and determine further course of action. It may be recalled that four persons are still missing, including an officer and three sailors.
“The footage could give us a clue about the missing persons and as well as the reason for the ship’s sinking,” said Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral A.B. Singh.
He was addressing the media on board INS Jalashwa, about 20 nautical miles of Visakhapatnam coast, during a ‘Day at Sea’ programme organised by the ENC, as part of its upcoming Navy Day celebrations.
While speaking about the deployment of ROV, the Admiral was candid to admit that the Indian Navy does not have the technology to deploy ROV’s for deep sea operation or salvaging sunken ships and has to depend on other sources.
On the search and rescue operation, the Admiral said it was called off after carrying out the operation, covering a large swathe of the water, for over 10 days.
“About 15 ships and a number of helicopters and planes were used in the operation. We covered a large area and have found some debris to the coast of Mahabalipuram. The current is very strong during this part of the year, and there is all possibility for the debris to drift up to Karaikal,” he said.
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