Republic of Mauritius- Successful completion of Hydrographic Survey by INS Darshak

INS Darshak arrived Mauritius on 25 November 2019 for a period of about one month to carry out hydrographic and oceanographic surveys in the southern part of Mauritius under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Hydrography between Mauritius and India which provides for cooperation in the areas of hydrographic surveys and production of navigational charts, exchange of data, supply of equipment, exchange of personnel and assistance through provision of technical expertise and capacity building, among others. A crew of 200 officers including 10 Mauritians participated in the survey.

In his address, Minister Obeegadoo expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Government of India for extending its help to Mauritius in Hydrography adding that Mauritius has made considerable progress in hydrography with the collaboration of India since the signature of the MOU. He pointed out that the visit is the 13^th deployment of Indian Naval Surveying ship in Mauritian waters under this MOU. Additionally, a total of 28 offshore hydrography surveys have been carried out leading to the production of nine navigational charts and eleven electronic navigation shelves for safe navigation in our waters, he said.

The survey, he indicated, will pave the way for the publication of navigational chart of ‘Souillac’ and subsequently be made available to all stakeholders and seafarers all over the world. The ship also undertook data collection for scientific research in the South Eastern part of Mauritius for the benefit of the Continental Shelf Maritime Zones Administration and Exploration as well as completed surveys for the Beach Authority at Riambel. These data, the Minister said, will eventually enable stakeholders and policy makers to make better decisions as regards blue economy, maritime security, exploration of potential use of maritime resources and coastal developments.

For his part, the Indian High Commissioner said that India looks forward to cooperate with Mauritius in Hydrography as well as other sectors. India and Mauritius, he pointed out, are maritime neighbours adding that hydrographic survey is an important area of ongoing collaboration between the two countries. He also recalled that recently an Indian Coast Guard Ship visited Mauritius as part of regular exchange and that such exchanges will be ongoing so as to further deepen the existing ties between the two countries.