SL's largest ocean research vessel in construction

30 January 2012 11:32 pm

Sri Lanka had begun constructing one of the country’s largest ocean research vessels at an estimated value of Rs.25 million, the Fisheries Ministry said yesterday.
 
Ministry officials said the vessel which would be launched in the coming weeks would be utilised for ocean research including oceanic changes, wave patterns, movements of fish and other sea creatures, evaluation of fisheries activities, movement at the base of the ocean and the collection of other data.
 
The vessel would be 57 feet in length and 14 feet in breadth and accommodate 17 people. It would be used for research purposes in the North West and Southern coasts of the island, officials said.
 
Sri Lanka had two research vessels which had disappeared during the tsunami after which the country had used Navy vessels and other private vessels for research purpose, officials said
 
A second research vessel would be purchased by the ministry in three months time, officials siad. (Olindhi Jayasundere)