R.V. Samudra Ratnakar was conceived as a replacement vessel for the ageing R. V. Samudra Manthan (RVSM). She is an old cargo vessel M.V.ViswaVinay 1958 vintage) and was converted by refitting in 1983 at Tyne Shipyard, U.K., for reconnaissance mapping in the EEZ of India. RVSM has limited endurance of 25 days and very limited basic survey equipment. RVSM has done meritorious service to the nation for the last 30 years which helped GSI to complete 98% of the sea bed survey of Indian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on reconnaissance scale. GSI has been making efforts to modernize the infrastructure as it is the only way to support National initiatives for accelerating the growth.Government of India (GoI) appreciated the need for acquisition of a state-of-the-art Research Vessel for GSI. A sophisticated Oceanographic Research Vessel was conceived as a replacement vessel for the GSI’s ocean going vessel R. V. SamudraManthan which is going to be decommissioned within a short span of time. With great efforts of all concerned, a world-class multi-tasking Research Vessel has been acquired. From ancient times the oceans are considered treasure house of valuables, in other words as “Ratnakar”, store house of valuables. Hence the new vessel has been aptly named “SamudraRatnakar”.

R.V. SamudraRatnakar is amodern Oceanographic Research Vessel with state-of-the-art scientific equipment and has been constructed at the Shipyard of M/s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), South Korea at a total cost of around Rs 650 crores. M/s HHI is one of the biggest shipyards in the world for construction of such sophisticated oceanographic research vessels (ORVs). The two consultants engaged for the conceptualization, design and construction supervision of this vessel were M/s Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and M/s Wartsila Ship Design, Norway (WSDN). The foreign consultant M/s WSDN prepared the concept design accommodating all the required sophisticated geological and geophysical equipment with the latest specifications. The consultancy services including construction supervision was provided by the SCI – the Indian consultant. This vessel is constructed under the supervision of Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and Indian Registrar of Shipping (IRS) who have provided guidance to perfection. SCI has been entrusted with the responsibility to manage vessel for its operation. The Director General, GSI and his team have made commendable efforts in bringing this vessel to reality and it is expected that they will work with the same sprit to reap the benefits of the facilities in the vessel for focused exploration in deep sea. Considering the technological standards available now and the future requirements, the vessel is fitted with the 27 most modern and state-of-the art navigational and scientific equipments of international repute available in the market. The vessel is best of its kind in Southeast Asia and one of the best in the world.