Summary:
By Express News ServiceKOCHI: The formal start of construction of marine ambulance boats being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) for the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, began here on the Shipyard premises on Friday. The ‘keel laying’ ceremony, signifying the launch of construction, of the first of the series of three marine ambulance boats, was carried out by J Mercykutty Amma, Minister for Fisheries, Harbour Engineering & Cashew Industry, in the presence of senior officials from State Fisheries Department, BPCL and Indian Register of Shipping. CSL Director Operations Sureshbabu N V explained the expansion plans of CSL (upcoming new dry-dock within CSL premises and the new ship-lift facility on the premises of International Ship Repair Facility) to the minister. These ambulance boats have an approximate length of 22.5m, beam size of about 6m and a maximum speed of 14 knots. Marine ambulances will be used for rescue and instant treatment to the marine fishermen in distress as well as for normal patrolling..