INS Makar (J31)

INS Makar (J31)
History
India
Name:	INS Makar
Namesake:	Makar
Operator:	Indian Navy
Builder:	Alcock Ashdown Limited
Laid down:	24 April 2008
Launched:	3 February 2010
Commissioned:	21 September 2012
Identification:	J31
Status:	in active service, as of 2024
General characteristics
Class & type:	Makar-class survey catamaran
Tonnage:	500 tons
Length:	53.15 m (174.4 ft)
Beam:	16 m (52.5 ft)
Draught:	4.5 m (14.8 ft)
Speed:	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Crew:	6 officers and 44 sailors

INS Makar (J31) is the lead ship of Makar-class of survey catamarans used for hydrographic survey by the Indian Navy. It was built indigenously in India by Alcock Ashdown Limited, Gujarat.

Description

INS Makar is tasked with undertaking hydrographic surveys for producing navigational charts and is capable of collecting marine environmental information by conducting limited oceanographic surveys.

Equipped with four engines and two bow thrusters, Makar has an Integrated Platform Management System that combines the vessel's power, navigation and propulsion systems. She also carries onboard survey motorboats, autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles for carrying out surveys. Makar is further fitted with a wide range of survey equipment that includes sounding systems, bottom profilers and an advanced electronic positioning system. Air conditioned data processing facilities are available on board Makar's caravan.

Service history

Laid down in 2008, she was launched two years later at Bhavnagar and was commissioned into the Navy at the Seabird Naval Base, Karwar in September 2012 by the then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha. She is named for the constellation of Capricorn.

See also

• List of multihulls