National Maritime Foundation (NMF) and MARG Group conducted a Workshop on Inland Waterways – Potential of Buckingham Canal & It’s Impact on Tamil Nadu Economy on April 21, 2011 at Samudra Conference Hall, Marg Pancham,  Sholinganallur, Chennai. Capt K N Ramesh, CEO – Dredging & Logistics of Marine Infrastructure & Services of MARG Group has organized the workshop at short notice by mobilizing all the resources available with MARG Group.

Mr MLN Acharyulu, Executive Director, MARG Group inaugurated the workshop and

• Emphasized that the inland waterways are as important as railways, roadways and airways but unfortunately remain neglected.
• Expected the workshop to bring out an action plan to revive the Buckingham Canal.

Mr GRK Reddy Chairman & Managing Director, MARG Group personally welcomed the participants and highlighted the following to explore potential of Buckingham Canal to boost Tamil Nadu economy.

• Waterways are time-tested means of transportation and are more cost efficient, fuel efficient, environment friendly.
• It is better to improve the already existing Buckingham Canal infrastructure (but neglected for the last 40/50 years) instead of going for a new one.
• The Buckingham Canal development
  • would help as an alternate means of transportation to extend metro corridor up to Mahabalipuram/Mamallapuram.
  • would be a value addition to the environment if the water body is cleaned up, protected and forestation is developed on both sides of the canal.
  • would be a value addition to the economy.

He further informed that MARG Group is ready to provide all necessary support in Buckingham Canal development.

Cmde S Shekhar, Regional Director, NMF, Chennai Chapter, did the Introduction & Context Setting for the workshop. He pointed out that

• Inland Waterways must be given the same priority as that of Road Transport & National Highways.
• Buckingham Canal was branded as nobody’s baby so far; he expected the workshop to identify whose baby it is and also to specify what needs to be done further to revive the canal.

Subject presentation was done by

• Mr S S Pandian, Chief Engineer, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
• Mr Malolan Cadambi, Managing Director, Greenshore Energy

Some eminent personalities present in the workshop were:

• Dr T S Sridhar, IAS, Principal Secretary/Commissioner of Museums.
• Mr. Ashok R Thakkar, Commodore of Tamil Nadu Sailing Association.
• Mr. V. Chellappan, Chief Technical Advisor (Marine Projects), MARG Karaikal Port (former Member – Technical of Inland Waterways Authority of India)
• Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan, Care Earth Trust.

Presentation by Mr S S Pandian, Chief Engineer, IWAI.

• Gave brief details about National Waterway 1, National Waterway 2, National Waterway 3, National Waterway 4, National Waterway 5.
• Buckingham Canal is part of National Waterway 4 in two parts
  • North Buckingham Canal: Pedaganjam to Chennai – 316 km (259 km in Andhra Pradesh, 57 km in Tamil Nadu)
  • South Buckingham Canal: Chennai to Marakkanam – 110 km
  • A stretch of 50 km from Ennore South to Muttukadu [18 km of North Buckingham Canal (Ennore South to Central Station of Chennai) and 32 km of South Buckingham canal (Central Station of Chennai to Muttukadu)] in Tamil Nadu can not be developed as a waterway due to landfilling/encroachment, MRTS route and other railway lines.
  • During monsoon, the rain water fills up the canal; provisions are available to fill the canal with sea water during other seasons.
• Development of National Waterway 4
  • Cost estimated as INR 1515 crores (in the year 2009) for 1027 km length of canal; project implementation period is expected to be 7 years in two phases.
  • As sufficient funds are not available, Planning Commission has advised IWAI to develop the National Waterway 4 under PPP mode with Viability Gap Funding.
  • In September 2010, it was decided to develop potential stretches under PPP mode.
  • Projects proposed under PPP
    • Project 1: Godavari River (Bhadrachalam – Rajahmundry), Kakinada Canal (Kakinda – Rajahmundry) and Godavari Eluru Canal (Rajahmundry – Eluru) – 295 km
    • Project 2: North Buckingham Canal (Pedaganjam – Ennore south), South Buckingham Canal (Muttukadu – Marakkanam) and Kaluvelly Tank (Marakkanam – Puducherry) – 398 km
    • Project 3: Krishna River (Wazirabad – Vijayawada), Krishna Eluru Canal (Vijayawada – Eluru) and Commamur Canal (Vijayawada – Pedaganjam) – 335 km
  • The waterway has to remain closed for minimum 30 days in a year for preventive maintenance.

Presentation by Mr Malolan Cadambi, Managing Director, Greenshore Energy.

• Generation of electricity by tapping Hydrokinetic Energy in Buckingham Canal.
• It is possible to use compact turbines (pico-hydro) starting from 2 KW without any large infrastructure.
• Power generated can be integrated with wind/solar/grid power.
• Cost effective as Carbon Credits are available for the turbines.
• Tapping osmotic power (using the salinity of river and sea water) in river mouths can also be explored .

The subject presentation triggered a brainstorming session. The following points were brought out.

• Inland Waterways
  • Use of water by priority: drinking; irrigation; power; navigation.
  • All waterways are precious and have to be preserved irrespective of the type of use.
  • How to effectively use inland waterways needs to be learned from Goa.
  • Inland Waterway in the east coast was earlier known as ‘East Coast Canal’ linking all rivers along the east coast.
• Pollution
  • Practice of dumping municipal waste in the canal has to be stopped.
  • Industries must be refrained from polluting waterways.
• Potential of south Buckingham Canal
  • Tourism.
  • Recreation.
  • Water sports.
  • Water taxi/Ferry service.
  • Transportation of perishable items like fruits, vegetables, flowers.
  • Small scale power generation.
• Buckingham Canal Development
  • River Water Authority of Tamil Nadu also to be involved in canal development.
  • Services of Mr K Phanindra Reddy, MD & CEO of TNUIFSL needs to be taken for the canal development.
  • Canal development must also consider ecological restoration in the area instead of concentrating only human centered development.
  • The encroachments/resettlement plans in the path of surface water sources to feed the canal must be cleared to charge the canal and to restore ecology.
  • Ecological Management Plan must be part of the canal development from the beginning.
  • Problems identified for canal development: Ecology/Environment problem, funding problem, regulatory problem, coordination problem.
  • If it is shortage of funds, private sector can mobilize funds.
  • Backwaters at Muttukadu, Adyar river mouth, Cooum river mouth have to be set up to clean up, to sustain, to enhance marine life in the canal.
  • Small stretches of waterways (5 km length) can be identified, developed in Chennai city for recreational, tourism purposes.

Outcome of the workshop

• Members of Executive Committee identified to proceed further
  • Representatives from NMF (Dr T S Sridhar, Local Advisory Board of NMF) – Head of the Committee
  • Representatives from MARG Group – 1 member
  • Representatives from Tamil Nadu government (Tourism, PWD, Environment) – 2 members
  • Representatives from Ecological Management group (CityConnect, Chennai) – 1 member
  • Representatives from CII – 1 member
  • Representative from TNUIFSL (Mr K Phanindra Reddy) – 1 member
• The Executive Committee must prepare a report to revive the south Buckingham Canal (except 50 km stretch in north/south of Chennai city) and submit to the Tamil Nadu government.
• Capt K N Ramesh, CEO – Dredging & Logistics of Marine Infrastructure & Services of MARG Group was nominated as the coordinator to form a forum and also inform other participants about the progress being made to revive the Buckingham Canal.

Vote of Thanks was given by  Mr Arvind Sagar, President – Corporate Initiatives & Planning, MARG Group.

The workshop concluded with a networking lunch.

Details of Buckingham Canal is reproduced from DPR for Development of Navigation in National Waterway 4.

The Buckingham canal is a tidal canal. It was constructed during 19th century along the Coromandal Coast. The main purpose of the canal was to have a lock-in-canal with extensive provision for passing upland discharge so as to retain a surface water level in the canal approximately upto the highest prevailing tide to facilitate inland navigation. The flood gates/locks were provided in various sea mouths to prevent silting caused by daily variation of tides. Locks serve another purpose of creation of impounding facility to retain high water level in the canal between low tides and also during the periods when sea bars are closed. After various stages of improvements and construction of lock chambers, and surplus escapes for drainage, the canal carries only Salt Water. The canal has been divided into two portions, viz North Buckingham Canal, and South Buckingham Canal.

The North Buckingham Canal of a total length of 316km starts off after Peddaganjam Lock in A.P (where Commamur Canal ends) and ends at Central Station of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, from where the South Buckingham canal starts .The South Buckingham Canal of a total length of 110 Km ends at Kovalam North River lock in Marakanam.

North Buckingham canal from Ramperu lock has a bed width ranging from 15 m to 30 m. At present the condition of North Buckingham Canal is such that it remains almost dry. The banks have eroded. There are many salt pans all along the canal. During March to July every year, the canal remains totally dry. There are several confluences of rivers i.e. Paleru, Manneru, Musi and Pennar along the North Buckingham Canal. The range of the tide is about 0.7 to 1.0m.

The South Buckingham Canal is also a tidal canal. It has sea openings at seven places viz. Marina beach, Adyar, Muthukadu, Kalpakkam (Ediyuru), Palar, Paramankani Kuppam and Markanam. Locks are provided in the canal near sea openings to control the tidal flow and retain the desired water level in the canal. Sand bars have been provided at these openings due to which it remains closed for about seven months in a year. There are confluences of rivers Cooum and Adyar in Chennai city along the South Buckingham Canal. But as these rivers are rain fed rivers, and remain dry during non-monsoon periods. Hence the canal takes water from sea only. The canal in Chennai City is totally in abandoned condition. It has silted up heavily. Its banks have been heavily encroached where huts and houses have come up. The width of the canal is in the range of 10 to 15m. To add to it, T.N. Govt. has allowed Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS), to construct Elevated Railway Stations right over the canal as per the recommendations of the Working Group appointed by the Planning Commission in 1976-77. In many places, the columns of MRTS flyover bridges are within the canal bed itself and in certain places, the pedestal foundation of column is exposed above the canal bed. Therefore, there is no navigation possible in the Chennai stretch. Alternative suggested by earlier consultants of constructing a Bye-pass canal in Chennai City is also ruled out because of non-availability of adequate water and high density population and space crunch in Chennai City. It is therefore recommended that the Stretch inside Chennai City of approx 50 km should not be taken for IWT development.

Read more

• DPR for Development of Navigation in National Waterway 4 as pdf

Thanks to MARG Group for the excellent arrangement and hospitality provided to the participants.

Sri Lanka Navy has started offering ‘whale watching’ ferry service to tourists from January 30, 2011 to promote marine tourism.

Some interesting features of ‘whale watching’ program are:

• from December to April months, Blue and Sperm whales are often sighted closer to the shores of the seas south of Dondra Head and Mirissa of Sri Lanka.
• one of Sri Lanka Navy’s luxury Fast Passenger Vessels (FPV) called A-543 is being used as ferry service (the vessel was earlier extensively used for troop’s transportation during the humanitarian operations).
• ferry service is available between Galle – Mirrissa sea area; in future to be operated between Colombo-Kalpitya and Trincomalee sea areas with the change of weather and monsoon.
• ferry service is available four times per week, with each tour lasting for three to six hours.

Here are some photographs released by Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Navy.

Sri Lanka Navy’s Passenger Vessel A-543 assigned as ferry service.

Whale Watching in progress

Whale sighted

For more details about the ferry service, log on to Jetliner Nautical Enterprise.

Read more from

• Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka
• Sri Lanka Navy

Union Minister for Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan inaugurated the ‘Project for Promoting Tourism in Lighthouses’, at Chennai on February 12, 2011. The project is expected to be implemented at a cost of INR 300 crores in private-public partnership basis.

Presently, 13 lighthouses in India are identified as heritage centres to portray maritime history of India.

The location of these lighthouses are (north-west coast to north-east coast) listed below. It is also shown in Google Maps:

• Gujarat
  • Dwarka Point Lighthouse
  • Veraval Lighthouse
• Goa
  • Aguada Lighthouse
• Kerala
  • Kadalur (Kadaloor) Point Lighthouse
  • Vilinjam/Vizhinjam (Kovalam) Lighthouse
• Lakshadweep Islands
  • Minicoy Island Lighthouse
• Tamil Nadu
  • Muttam Point Lighthouse (near Kanniyakumari)
  • Rameswaram Lighthouse
  • Mahabalipuram Lighthouse (Mamallapuram – south of Chennai)
  • Madras Lighthouse (Chennai)
• Andhra Pradesh
  • Dolphin’s Nose Lighthouse
• Orissa
  • Gopalpur Lighthouse
  • Chandrabhaga Lighthouse

At Chennai, it is planned to

• Set up National Heritage Maritime Museum at Mamallapuram Lighthouse.
• Establish a Lighthouse Museum at Chennai Light House.

Here is a photograph released by Press Information Bureau to mark this occasion.

Union Minister for Shipping, Shri G.K. Vasan releasing the booklet on lighthouses after inaugurating the project for promoting tourism in Lighthouses, at Chennai.

Know more from Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.

Read more from The Times of India.

The first Seaplane service in India was launched on December 27, 2010 by the Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Praful Patel at a ceremony held at the Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai.

Some interesting features of this Seaplane service Jal Hans are:

• available in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to boost tourism.
• to be operated by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL).
• to use Cessna Caravan 208 A Amphibian seaplane.
• seaplane has a total seating capacity of 10 that includes 8 passenger seats.
• can travel up to 250 kms in about an hour and can land on most calm waters.
• to initially connect Port Blair with Havelock island; to be extended later to other islands in North Andaman.
• to operate from airport at Port Blair and from waterdrome at Havelock.

In future, PHHL has plans to extend the seaplane service to Lakshadweep islands and in Goa.

View a video clip from YouTube: Sea plane service begins in Andamans

To know more about Cessna Caravan Amphibian seaplane, log on to Caravan.

Read more from Press Information Bureau.

World’s first floating mobile phone, JCB Toughphone ‘Tradesman’  is now available.

Toughphone series of mobile phones in four models are brought out jointly by JCB (known mostly as construction equipment manufacturer), Peter Jones’ mobile distributor Data Select and manufacturer Sonim. These phones are designed to work reliably in tough working environments and are suitable for Seafarers, Project/Site Engineers, adventure sports persons.

Some interesting features of floating mobile phone JCB Toughphone ‘Tradesman’ TP121 are:

• Complies with Military Specification.
• Water-proof/Dust-poof and is certified to Ingress Protection IP 67.
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0 and MicroUSB.
• Talk time of 3 hours and Standby time of 130 hours.
• Colour display of 1.44 inch.
• Powered by 650 mAh Li-ion battery.
• FM radio and torch light.
• Frequency: triband GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz.

In addition to Tradesman model, other models available are: Sitemaster, Pro and Pro-Talk.

View an interesting video clip from You Tube: New JCB Toughphones tested – Full length version

For more details, log on to JCB Toughphone

Here is an amazing vehicle “Amfibus” to integrate road ways and water ways. A two day demonstration of this amphibious bus was conducted on February 08 on the River Clyde in Scotland to evaluate the performance. The vehicle would operate on road as a coach (bus) from Braehead to the Renfrew ferry slipway. Then the same vehicle would operate as a ferry by using the existing slipway to reach Yoker by crossing the River Clyde. Thereafter it would reach Clydebank by road.

The demonstration was conducted by Stagecoach Group, a leading international public transport group having extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The vehicle Amfibus has already undergone trials in Rotterdam harbour, Netherlands.

Some interesting features of the Amfibus are:

• costs £700,000.
• is 12.8 metre long, 2.55 metre wide and can carry 45 passengers.
• has Euro 5 engine and is built in Holland by Dutch Amphibious Transport Vehicles BV (DATV) of Nijmegen.
• has a hull on Volvo bus chassis that can float and is fully safety certified for operation on road and water by European transport regulatory authorities.
• on road: has a maximum road speed of 60 mph and operates like a standard coach with an accelerator and brake.
• in water: has a speed of 8 knots and is propelled by Hamilton, twin water jets controlled by a console on the armrest of the driver’s chair.

The service is expected to be operational from end March.

View some interesting video clips:

• Amphibious bus makes a splash
• Amfibus, amphibious bus.

View some photographs of Amfibus from Flickr.

Read more from Stagecoach Group and Dutch Amphibious Transport Vehicles.

January 26 is celebrated as Australia Day.
HMAS Stuart (FFH 153), the sixth Anzac Class Guided Missile Frigate is presently on deployment in the Gulf of Oman, carrying out counter terrorism and counter narcotic smuggling operations. The crew celebrated Australia Day at sea by playing cricket on the flight deck. On completion of the match, the crew had a steel deck barbecue dinner by witnessing Arabian sunset.

The crew also collected $700 as charity and the proceeds will be donated to Gran’s Van, a food van based in Burnie Tasmania which provides meals to the homeless and needy.

Here is a photograph from Department of Defence, Australia.

View more photographs from Image Gallery of DoD.

For more information, log on to Australia Day.

Read more from DoD, Media Release.

Commander Dilip Donde of Indian Navy commenced his solo circumnavigation voyage in INSV Mhadei from Mumbai on August 19, 2009. After sailing 14000 Nautical miles, INSV Mhadei arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom on January 16 (see photograph below).  Presently the vessel is undergoing essential repairs and maintenance. Indian Defence Attaché Commodore Bannerjee flew from UK to meet Commander Dilip Donde on his arrival. Commodore Bannerjee and Commander Donde also visited HMS York and HMS Clyde.

On January 26, the 60th Republic day of India, Commander Dilip Donde would unfurl the tri-colour on his 56 feet yacht INSV Mhadei. He is scheduled to continue with his fourth leg of the circumnavigation voyage to Cape Town in South Africa on February 01.

Here is the photograph of INSV Mhadei at Port Stanley.

Read more from Press Information Bureau and Falkland Islands News Network.

For more photographs and for more information, log on to Indian Navy Solo Circumnavigation.

Kochi (Cochin) is now in the world cruise map with the commencement of weekly cruise itineraries from Kochi to Maldives and Colombo. This service is being provided by MV Aquamarine. Around 60,000 Indian tourists are expected to cruise during this season. The service was inaugurated by Kumari Selja, Minister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism on December 01 at Kochi.

Some interesting information available are:

• Voyages through MV Aquamarine is available from December 2009 to April 2010.
• The first voyage from Kochi commenced on December 02 to Maldives.
• Cochin Port Trust offers host of amenities to cruise vessels like “walk in” berthing, sufficient draft, bunkering services, concessional tariff, a “single window service” for Customs, Immigration and Port Health clearance.
• MV Aquamarine:
  • Owned by Louis Cruises India, a subsidiary of Louis Cruises one of the largest cruise operators in the world.
  • Has a capacity to carry 1,200 passengers.
  • Has 525 spacious state rooms and suites, several restaurants, a swimming pool, fitness centre, massage/sauna facilities, casino including duty free shopping facility.
  • The vessel has also been modified to play cricket on the high seas.
  • Food and entertainment on board are also available to suit Indian taste.
  • Gross Tonnage: 23,149
  • Length: 193.65 metre
  • Breadth: 24 metre
  • Draught: 6.72 metre
  • Cruising speed: 17 knots
  • Passenger Decks: 7
  • Elevators: 4
  • Stabilizers: available
  • Electrical power supply: 110V AC
  • Classification Society: DNW

The round trip voyages available are:

Important Notes:

• Taxes and Surcharges apply as normal
• The cruise rate includes:
  • Cabin accommodation in the category booked
  • Full board
  • Gala evening and shows
  • Entrainment on board
  • Port Charges
  • Swimming pool & fitness center
• The cruise rate does not include:
  • Beverages of any types
  • Shore excursions
  • Gratuities
  • Personal Expenses
  • Fuel Surcharge
  • Everything not specified into “The cruise rate includes”

View a video clip: Luxury cruise liner launched in Kochi

Read more from Press Information Bureau.

For more details, log on to Louis Cruises – Cruises from India.

Water Walk sports using water or aqua ball is now in Assam, India to attract locals and tourists.
Some interesting features of water or aqua ball are:

• is a transparent big ball filled with breathable air (oxygen).
• the user is free to float, walk, relax on water by remaining inside the floating ball.
• can be easily set up on any water source like a river, lake or even a swimming pool.
• ride on an average lasts about 7 minutes per single trip.
• is made up of a material called TPU (thermoplastic elastic rubber).
• can take up weight up to 150 kilograms.

It is reported that it is unsuitable for cardiac patients, asthmatics and overweight persons.

View a video clip: Water Walking A New Sport in India

View another interesting video clip: Aqua-ball.

Read more from NTDTV.

Above photograph is from Aqua-ball, and for more details log on to Aqua-ball.

A tourist boat capsized on September 30 in Thekkady. 42 passengers drowned (nearly half of them are children) and lost their lives.

Some disturbing reports on this tragedy available are:

• The double decker boat ‘Jalakanyaka’ is operated by Kerala Tourist Development Corporation (KTDC).
• The boat capsized at a depth of 40 to 50 feet in Periyar Lake at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady around 1730 hrs IST.
• The Indian Navy diving team from the Southern Naval Command reached the Thekkady boat accident site early morning on October 01 and  commenced rescue operations at first light.
• Reasons reported for the accident
  • boat was over crowded than the rated capacity.
  • passengers suddenly moved to one side of the boat to watch some wildlife and the boat capsized due to that.
  • not the fault of passengers, the boat was listing from the time of departure and capsized while turning.
• other reports on the boat
  • none of the passengers were wearing life jackets.
  • boat is not certified for use as per Canals and Ferry Act.
  • the boat is not provided with any wireless set or any other communication facility to send SOS in case of an emergency.
  • bad weather hampered search and rescue operations.
• Timings for boat cruises on the Periyar Lake: 0700, 0930, 1130, 1400, 1600 hrs.
• A judicial probe is being set up by Kerala government to investigate the accident.

View some video clips and photographs:

• 42 drown in Kerala boat mishap
• Boat capsizes in Thekkady
• photographs from RateVin.

View a slideshow from The Hindu: India’s watery graves and read more from The Hindu.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

India to Build World’s First LNG Powered RoRo Vessel

Weekend Farewell: Russian Nuclear Powered Icebreaker Arktika Completes Active Service

Lifeguards and Swimming coaches of Sports Department Authority of Tamil Nadu‘s (SDAT) swimming pools across Tamil Nadu are being assessed at the Aquatic Complex at Velachery, Chennai for endurance and agility. They are further trained to rescue a person from drowning and to provide first aid till medical help arrives.This is necessary as competent Lifeguards can only save lives from drowning. Pump operators of swimming pools are also given training to provide first aid.

During the test conducted by Rashtriya Life Saving Society India (RLSS-I), it was found that out of 126 participants, only 38 passed. Remaining failed due to lack of swimming skills, stamina and technique.

View a video clip from NDTV: Shocker – 70% TN lifeguards fail endurance test

Read more

• from The Times of India: Govt swimming pool employees take life saving course
• from The Hindu: Swimmers to your rescue

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Work Safely at Sea with Regatta Fisherman Work Suit

Laura Dekker, 13 year old Dutch girl, is too young to sail solo around the world. Though her parents have given consent for her two year trip around the world from September 01, the Dutch Council for Child Protection has objected to her sailing adventure.

The Dutch court is also right in banning her voyage, and has placed her under state care for two months, till psychologists assess her suitability to sail solo around the world.

Here is the route map of Laura Dekker’s voyage in her ‘Guppy’ from her website.

View some video clips:

• from NTDTV: Dutch Girl Wants to Sail Solo Around the World
• from BBC World News: Dutch sailor put into state care

For more details regarding voyage and updates, log on to Laura Dekker and Guppy.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Port of Fujairah: Second Largest Bunkering Port of the World

Decommissioned destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford (DD 968) is set to become an artificial reef to benefit marine life, fishing and recreational diving.

Some interesting features of ex-Arthur W. Radford’s artificial reef program are:

• The vessel will be reefed at the Del-Jersey-Land Inshore Site (developed jointly by Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey), off the Delaware Coast approximately 26 miles southeast of the Indian River Inlet at a depth of 120-130 feet.
• The states will be responsible for preparations, activities associated with reefing of the vessel, monitoring and managing the vessel as an artificial reef.
• Vessel details:
  • Present location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Length: 563 ft.
  • Draft: 32 ft.
  • Extreme Width: 55 ft.
  • Air Draft: 140’ 1” ft.
  • Commissioned: April 15, 1977.
  • Decommissioned: March 18, 2003.
  • Stricken from NVR: April 06, 2004.
• Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) will work out the details of the timeline for reefing.

Here are the photographs of ex-Arthur W. Radford from ‘Team Ships – Inactive Ships Program’.

Read more from Naval Sea Systems Command.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Royal Navy Sailors Test Positive for Cocaine

St. Jean de Luz beach in southern France has audio buoys to help visually impaired (blind) swimmers to swim confidently without the fear of getting lost.The beach has installed buoys with audio sensors to give swimmers their location as audio messages. The audio buoys are placed at fifty metres intervals. The swimmer wears a electronic device as a bracelet. On pressing the buttons in the bracelet, the bracelet communicates with the audio buoys around, and the swimmer receives a audio message from the buoys indicating location with respect to the beach. This audio message helps the swimmer to find out the safe direction to swim.

The system costs around 25 thousand Euros to install and the audio buoys are being developed further to give reliable performance.

View a video clip from NTDTV: Audio Buoys Help for Blind Swimmers

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Weekend Warning: Somali Pirates Hijack Four Ships in Forty Eight Hours

Commander Dilip Donde of Indian Navy has commenced solo circumnavigation (Sagar Parikrama) in sailing yacht ‘Mhadei’ from Mumbai on August 19. He is the first Indian to go on solo circumnavigation.

Some interesting features of Sagar Parikrama and sailing yacht Mhadei are:

Sagar Parikrama

• will cover a distance of approximately 21,600 nautical miles to circumnavigate the globe from West to East through the Southern Hemisphere.
• was flagged off by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta.
• a project conceived by Vice Admiral (retd) M P Awati.
• to make four stops in Fremantle (Australia), Christchurch (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), and Cape Town (South Africa).
• duration: nine months.
• at a cost of INR 6.5 crore funded by Government of India.

Sailing yacht Mhadei:

• built by Aquarius Fibreglas, Goa.
• 56 feet long, Wood Core Fibreglass yacht.
• carries a set of six sails to be used in different combinations to reach up to ten knots speed.
• has all basic amenities and latest navigational and communication aids.
• named after the river, Mhadei.
• a preparatory voyage covering a distance of 2300 nautical miles to Mauritius was successfully completed in May-June this year.

View some video clips:

• Sagar Parikrama
• Mission Sagar Parikrama

Read more:

• from DNA India: First solo mission around the world
• from Footloose: To hear the song of the sea
• from the builder Aquarius Fibreglas, Goa: Sailing Yacht ‘Mhadei’

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

USS Freedom: First Littoral Combat Ship (LCS –1) Gets Ready for Commissioning on November 08

64th Anniversary of Indonesian Independence from the Dutch was celebrated on August 17. As part of the celebrations, Sail Bunaken 2009, was held at Bitung and Manado City, North Sulawesi, Indonesia from August 12 to 20.
Sail Bunaken 2009:

• Jointly organized by the Ministry of Marine and Fishery Affairs, Provincial Administration of North Sulawesi, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Navy Force of Indonesia, supported by the the Directorate General of Immigration and other government institutions.
• Sail Bunaken 2009 events:
  • Indonesian Fleet Review of “warships” and “tall ships”.
  • Yacht Rally: from Nusa Tenggara to Bitung.
  • Bunaken Expo & Festival with an exhibition of Indonesia’s marine and tourism products, handicrafts.
  • International Big Game Fishing “KASAL CUP”.
  • Diving: breaking Guinnes Book of Record.
  • Jetski Trans Equator Touring on the west coast of Sulawesi island for about 1,600 miles.
  • Bunaken International Seafood Festival.
  • International Seminar on Building a Comprehensive Maritime Security and Possible Benefit to the Effort to Minimize Illegal Fishing in the Region.

Some interesting features of Indonesia International Fleet Review (IFR) are:

• The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono witnessed the review on August 19.
• Delegations from 33 countries participated.
• 38 ships including warships and top naval leaders from 14 countries attended.
• Australia:
  • Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane attended.
  • Ships participated: Frigate HMAS Darwin, Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment vessel HMAS Success, Hydrographic Survey vessel HMAS Leeuwin.
  • Coast Guard vessel Triton.
  • A fleet of 163 yachts.
• China
  • On August 16, PLA Navy’s Guangzhou arrived at Bitung Port.
  • Rear Admiral Su Zhiqian, deputy commander of the Guangzhou Military Area Command (MAC) of the PLA and commander of the South China Sea Fleet (SCSF) of the PLA Navy, were also present.
• France: FS La Somme.
• India: INS Khukri, INS Airavat.
• Indonesia: KRI Sultan Hasanuddin and other Indonesian ships.
• Japan: JDS Kashima, JDS Shimayuki, JDS Yuugiri.
• Malaysia: KD Kedah, KD Tunas Samudera.
• New Zealand: HMNZS Canterbury.
• Pakistan: PNS Zulfiquar.
• Philippines: Manuel L Quezon.
• Singapore: RSS Tenacious, RSS Darling.
• South Korea: ROKS Choi Young DDH, Dae Cheong.
• Thailand: Phuttaloetia Naphalai, Rattanakosin.
• U.K: HMS Echo.
• U.S.
  • U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead was present from August 17-19, to participate in the International Maritime Seminar and watch the Presidential Sailing Pass in Review.
  • Guided missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) arrived in Bitung on August 15.
  • On August 19, other U.S. Navy ships, the aircraft carrier George Washington (CVN 73), guided missile cruiser Cowpens (CG 63) and guided missile destroyers Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and Mustin (DDG 89) joined IFR for the “Pass in Review”.

View some video clips:

• USS George Washington Sailing Flying Pass di Manado.
• Parade Kapal Perang – Sail Bunaken 2009.

Read more and view photographs:

• from DOD, Australia: Australian Navy joins Indonesia for Independence Celebrations.
• from China Defense Mashup: PLA Navy shows power by 4-day goodwill visit to Indonesia.
• from U.S. Navy: Report 1, Report 2.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Worker Dies in Japanese Tanker at Keppel Shipyard Singapore

Update: August 30

Read a report and view photographs on Indonesia’s International Fleet Review from Marine Nationale, France.

The 58th Annual Miss Universe 2009 Competition is scheduled to take place in Atlantis Paradise Island Resort hotel in the Bahamas on August 23.

Some interesting features of Miss Universe 2009 Competition are:

• August 16: For the fisrt time, the 2009 Miss Universe Preliminary Competition (Presentation Show) will be webcast live from Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas at 8 PM ET on www.nbc.com and www.missuniverse.com via Ustream and NewTek Tricaster.
• View photographs of the following contestants in Bikini from RIA Novosti (countries listed alphabetically).
  • Miss Bahamas 2009: Kiara Sherman
  • Miss Bulgaria 2009: Elitsa Lyubenova
  • Miss Colombia 2009: Michelle Rouillard
  • Miss Estonia 2009: Diana Arno
  • Miss France 2009: Chloe Mortaud
  • Miss Germany 2009: Martina Lee
  • Miss Israel 2009: Julia Dyment
  • Miss Italia 2009: Laura Valenti
  • Miss Puerto Rico 2009: Mayra Matos Perez
  • Miss Romania 2009: Bianca Elena Constantin
  • Miss Russia 2009: Sofia Rudyeva
  • Miss Serbia 2009: Dragana Atlija
  • Miss Spain 2009: Estibaliz Pereira Rabade
  • Miss Ukraine 2009: Kristina Kots-Gotlib
  • Miss USA 2009: Kristen Dalton
  • Miss Venezuela 2009: Stefania Fernandez
• August 23: All contestants will compete in the Swimsuit and Evening Gown categories as part of the selection of the top 15 finalists who will be revealed during the beginning of the two-hour live telecast of the 2009 MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant live on NBC and Telemundo at 9 PM ET.

Click the image below to view the contestants in Bikini from RIA Novosti.

View all the contestants listed on highest rating, by last name, by country from Miss Universe.

For more details log on to, Miss Universe.

View a video clip: Miss Universe 2008 Swimsuit Competition

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Weekend Tips: Marine Wallpapers for Your PC

Update: August 21

View photographs from RIA Novosti: Rehearsal of Miss Universe bikini contest

Update: August 24

Stefania Fernandez, 18, of Venezuela, is the winner of the Miss Universe 2009. View photographs from RIA Novosti.

A Paris swimming pool refused entry to a Muslim woman on August 12, for wearing a ‘Burqini’ citing swimming pool rules that swimming is not permitted while clothed. Very valid reason. Swimming pool rules can not be defied and people who want to swim with Burquini may do so in their own private swimming pools.

Some interesting features of Burquini are:

• Burqa + Bikini = Burquini.
• An Islamic swim suit in three pieces for females who don’t want to expose their skin.
• Designed to cover the whole body except face, hands and feet.
• Looks like a track suit used by athletes than a swimming suit.
• Available in beautiful vibrant colors as Slim-fit, Modest-fit, Active-fit and for children also.
• Chlorine resistant, comfortable stretch, SP 50,UV protected.
• Light Weight, quick dry, does not cling to skin even when wet to avoid revealing body contour.

View Burquini in details, from Bodikini.

View some video clips:

• from NDTV: Muslim woman barred from Paris pool for ‘burquini’
• Islamic swimwear for women: An extension to freedom

Read more from France 24.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Temperature Monitoring and Recording by Compact Data Logger from Omega

57th Nehru Trophy Boat Race was held on August 08 at Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha. Snake boat Champakkulam Chundan won the race.
Some interesting features of Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2009 are:

• Honorable Member of Parliament and UPA Chair Person Smt. Sonia Gandhi, was the Chief Guest.
• 59 boats took part in the competition.
  • Chundan (Snake Boats): 17 (1 on exhibitory)
  • Veppu -Grade A: 8
  • Veppu -Grade B: 5
  • Iruttukuthi- Grade A: 5
  • Iruttukuthi- Grade B: 15
  • Churulan- Grade A : 5
  • Thekkanody(Women): 4
• Winners:
  • First: Snake boat Champakkulam Chundano of the Jesus Boat Club, Kollam, led by Jiji Jacob.
  • Second: Payippad Chundan of UBC, Kainakary, led by Ansalam Antony.
  • Third: Sree Ganesh Chundan of Kumarakam Boat Club, led by P.I. Abraham.
• Winner Cash Prize
  • First: INR 2,00,000 by State Tourism Dept., and INR 1,00,000 by Out Look magazine.
  • Second: INR 1,50,000 by State Tourism Dept., and INR 50,000 by Out Look magazine.
  • Third: INR 1,00,000 by State Tourism Dept., and INR 25,000 by Out Look magazine.
  • Fourth: INR 50,000 by State Tourism Dept., and INR 10,000 by Out Look magazine.
• Race track: 1.35 kilo metres long, 20 metres wide and the team takes less than 5 minutes to cover the distance.

View some video clips:

• Nehru Trophy Boat Race
• Kerala gears up for annual boat race

For more details, log on to Nehru Trophy Boat Race.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Gas Carrier Isabella Kosan uses Cargo Residue as Fuel in MAN Dual Fuel Generator

On August 01, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin dived to the bottom of the world’s deepest lake, Baikal, in the Mir-1 mini-submarine.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, age 56 is well known for his adventures. When asked by journalists whether he is intending to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as his next adventure, he told that he has more things to do in Earth than in Space.

View a video clip from Al Jazeera: Putin in submarine adventure – 1 Aug 09

Read more and also view another video clip from France 24: Putin takes submarine dive to depths of Lake Baikal

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Weekend Sports: 56th Nehru Trophy Boat Race 2008 at Alappuzha

MV Ganga Vihar is the floating restaurant now operating on the River Ganga from Gandhi Ghat, Patna in the state of Bihar.
Some interesting features of MV Ganga Vihar are:

• Chief minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the restaurant on July 20.
• 48 persons can dine at a time.
• Non vegetarian food will be available at INR 500 and Vegetarian food will be available at INR 350.
• Also a bar and recreation room is available.
• To be operated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation twice a day.
• The floating restaurant will also be available on rent at INR 20,000 for four hours to celebrate as social and family gatherings like birthday, marriage.
• Cabinet meetings are also planned to be held in the floating restaurant to promote public awareness about the restaurant.
• As an inaugural offer, the floating restaurant was permitted to the public to view solar eclipse from 0400 hours on July 22 with an entry ticket of INR 100.

If the floating restaurant operates successfully, the government is planning to operate more vessels even with private operators.

View photographs of MV Ganga Vihar from View Patna.

View an interesting video clip from Videos From India: Floating restaurant in Bihar to boost tourism.

Read more from Patna Daily.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Website on Personal Injury Claims for Mariners

India with a vast coastline of about 7500 kilo metres, has to protect the beaches to ensure safe environment. The citizens also have the responsibility to protect the beaches along with the government.

Some important contributions required from the citizens:

• Do not pollute the beaches by throwing wastes like plastic bags, bottles, cigarette butts, paper …… endless to list.
• Discourage/advise fellow citizens when you see them polluting the beaches.

Some of the actions required from the government:

• Stop unauthorised structures closer to the beach.
• Carryout regular maintenance of beaches.
• Carryout regular patrols on the beaches to stop pollution, any unlawful activity.

Here are some interesting video clips from NDTV, on Indian Beaches:

• The death of India’s beaches
• Concrete killing Kovalam beach
• Gujarat’s mangroves under threat
• India’s Vanishing Beaches
• Why is it so important to save beaches ?
• Strict coastal law to stay for now: Jairam

Read more

• Government statement on July 15: “Sea Erosion” on the beaches of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, from Press Information Bureau.
• 10 Ways to Stop Marine Debris
• How EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), U.S., Protects Beaches ?

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Meet the Past, Present and Future Royal Navy at Portsmouth

Bermuda celebrates 400th Anniversary of Sea Venture wreckage as a celebration of Bermuda and her people. The wrecking of Sea Venture is believed to be the inspiration for Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Some interesting features of Sea Venture and 400th anniversary of Bermuda are:

• In June 1609, Virginia Company’s Admiral, Sir George Somers sailed in ‘Sea Venture’ with a flotilla of ships from Plymouth (then London) to Virginia.
• On July 25, 1609 Sea Venture was caught in a storm (a fierce tempest) and the flotilla was disintegrated.
• After struggling in the storm for three days, the flagship Sea Venture, was wrecked off the reefs of Bermuda’s Discovery Bay, with no loss of life.
• On July 28, 1609 the survivors including Sir George Somers landed in Bermuda.
• Sir George Somers explored, mapped Bermuda and as a mark of respect, Bermuda’s official alternate name is Somers Islands.
• This year, the 400th anniversary started with ‘2009 Bermuda Day Half-Marathon Derby’ on January 01 and the celebrations were launched on January 03.

• Somers Day: This year Somers Day is going to be celebrated on July 28 with a Time Capsule ceremony in the Town of St.George including the following:
  • The Bermuda Sloop, Spirit of Bermuda will lead a flotilla of boats out to the Sea Venture wreck site for a commemorative ceremony
  • World Heritage Centre’s Official Opening by the St. George’s Foundation
  • Travel to St.Catherine’s Beach (historically known as Gates’ Bay) for a Re-enactment of the landing of the survivors
  • Actors will row to shore in Longboats manned by Sea Cadets in period costume
  • A service will be held on the beach followed by the unveiling of a Cross memorial symbolizing the cross that was left by the survivors before they left for Jamestown, Virginia
  • A parade in the Town of St. George’s for an evening of festivities
  • A meeting with descendants of the Sea Venture survivors and visiting Dignitaries from Lyme Regis (home of Sir George Somers) and from Virginia
  • Music by the Bermuda Regiment Band and the Tony Bari Trio, featuring Gene Steede
  • Dances from Bermuda’s numerous cultural groups and a Parade of Fashion through the ages
  • Fireworks display
• On December 12, 2009 with the Bermuda Christmas Boat parade, the year long 400th anniversary would finish.

View a video clip: Sea Venture

Read more:

• The Voyage and Wreck of the Sea Venture
• Admiral Sir George Somers Colonized Bermuda for Britain

For more details on 400th Anniversary, log on to Bermuda 2009.

Post in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Danish Fort Dansborg of 17th Century at Tharangambadi Coast – Part 1

Whale watching is a tourist attraction at Mirissa Beach of south Sri Lanka. As terrorism is wiped out successfully in Sri Lanka, tourism is picking up.

Mirissa

• is located in between the towns of Welligama and Matara.
• is about 35 km south of the port city of Galle.
• is about 150 km south-east of Colombo.
• is also closer to Hambantota, a port being developed with massive Chinese assistance.

View whale watching photographs from China Gate.

View an interesting short video clip: Blue whale in Mirissa Sri Lanka.

For more details, log on to Mirissa Beach.

Posts in MarineBuzz on this day a year before:

Why Indo U.S Nuclear Deal, When Oceans can Give Clean Energy ?

Mexican Navy Hunts Cocaine Carrying Home Made Submarine