(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
The ‘FLAG-OFF’ ceremony of First in the series (CSL Hull No. BY 110) of Three (3) Nos. Marine Ambulance Boat, PRATHEEKSHA, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL), for the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Kerala, was carried out today at CSL premises through video-conferencing by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala. Smt. J. Mercykutty Amma, Minister for Fisheries, Harbor Engineering & Cashew Industry, Govt. of Kerala, Senior Officials from State Fisheries Department, CSL, BPCL, CIFT & Indian Register of Shipping attended the event at CSL premises. The Ambulance Boats have an over-all length of 23.80 Mtr, width of about 6.0 Mtr and is powered by Two (2) Nos. 515 KW Scania Marine Propulsion Engines for attaining a maximum speed of 14 knots. The vessel is fully Designed in-house by CSL, in line with the requirements of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The vessel is of high quality and fuel efficient. CFD analysis and Model Test was done at IIT Chennai to optimize fuel efficiency and firming up the power requirement. 3-D Modelling of the boat was carried out in-house to improve ergonomics and lay-out. Minister for Fisheries, Harbor Engineering & Cashew Industry, Govt. of Kerala, Smt. J. Mercykutty Amma also launched the remaining 2 Ambulance boats in the series at CSL, which are expected to be delivered within one month. One vessel each will operate from Thiruvanthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode.

The vessel can accommodate Two (2) patients, Two (2) Paramedical staff and Nine (9) operating crew. The vessel also has various paramedical facilities like examination room with toilet, medical bed, mortuary freezer, refrigerator, pantry and medical lockers. There is a Jason’s cradle to safely rescue people from sea. Marine ambulances will be used for the rescue and instant treatment to the marine fishermen in distress as well as for normal patrolling.