CHENNAI: Adding to the fast-vanishing hope for survivors on the missing AN-32, the operation of the research vessel Sagar Nidhi is delayed by a week due to rough sea. According to sources, the vessel, which was to begin underwater operation by Friday, is now expected to begin only after August 3. In search of the IAF aircraft, Sagar Nidhi will first scan a well-defined 20X20 nautical miles area in the Bay of Bengal.
The National Institute of Ocean Technology’s (NIOT) ship will undertake a single-line survey using sonar, with an initial swathe that will cover two to three nautical miles. The plan is to observe the disturbance in the sea and notice change in the pattern to determine whether there is a non geo-scientific object on the seabed.
Experts say the search operation would be hastened if a side-scan sonar is deployed. This portable instrument that could be towed to depths of 2,500 metres, profiles the sea from sideways. This equipment that gives much better results than the usual sonar is usually used to conduct surveys for marine archaeology. It is also used to detect debris on the seafloor.
“The advantage is that it looks sideways and gives better resolution,” sources said, adding: “With this technology, Sagar Nidhi can complete surveying an area which takes 10 days now in just two-three days.”
Meanwhile, there are 10 Navy ships, two Coast Guard ships, one Navy aircraft and helicopter and two IAF helicopters that are now scouring for debris. While the surface search area is 120X120 square nautical miles, the air search area is spread to 360x300 nautical miles. Surface search is also being undertaken in the 300 nautical miles area from Port Blair. There have been some hopes when objects believed to be debris were sighted, but all turned out to be false alerts, said sources. The aircraft is reportedly missing since July 22 with 29 personnel on board and has brought to attention the urgent need to have a fully equipped search and rescue vessel. Currently, the operations are completely dependent on the Navy that has its limitations, research institutions like NIOT and private organisations like Reliance. “It is time the Coast Guard is provided with a high-tech, multi-purpose search and rescue vessel. There are good distress plans but no infrastructure,” said a former scientist on condition of anonymity.