Context: DSC A24 (Yard 329)—the fifth and final ship of the Diving Support Craft (DSC) project—was launched at the Titagarh shipyard in Kolkata (West Bengal).
About DSC A24 (Yard 329): Indian Navy’s Indigenous Diving Support Craft:
What It Is?
- DSC A24 (Yard 329) is a specialized catamaran-hulled naval vessel built to perform underwater diving support, salvage operations, and coastal deployments. It is the fifth and final ship constructed under a five-vessel Diving Support Craft contract for the Indian Navy.
Developed By:
- Manufacturer / Shipbuilder: M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) / Titagarh Naval Systems Limited, Kolkata.
- Classification Standards: Designed and constructed in accordance with the Naval Rules and Regulations of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Aim: To bolster the operational capacity of the Indian Navy’s Command Clearance Diving Teams (CCDTs) by providing stable, indigenous platforms for complex underwater inspections, maintenance, salvage assistance, and harbour/near-shore deployments.
Key Features:
- Catamaran-Hull Design: Built with a twin-hull (catamaran) structure, offering superior roll stability, improved sea-keeping characteristics, and an expanded working deck footprint.
- Displacement Capacity: Features an approximate displacement ranging between 300 and 400 tonnes, optimized for shallow-water and coastal operations.
- High Indigenous Content: Sourced approximately 70% of its main and auxiliary machinery from domestic manufacturers under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- Specialized Diving Gear Handling: Equipped with advanced indigenous lifting and sonar deployment setups to host divers, decompression units, and subsea tools.
- IRS Naval Rules Compliance: Fully certified under the Indian Register of Shipping’s stringent naval standards for hull integrity, fire safety, and maritime seaworthiness.
Significance:
- The launch of DSC A24 completes the five-vessel Diving Support Craft (DSC) project, modernizing the Indian Navy’s underwater support
- Showcases the growing capability of Indian private shipyards like Titagarh Rail Systems to build specialized naval platforms under Make in India.
