INS Nipun: Key boost to India's deep-sea abilities, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel (DSV) of the Nistar class, was commissioned in Mumbai.
• The vessel will enhance the Western Naval Command's deep-sea diving, underwater intervention, and submarine rescue capabilities.
• Built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Vishakhapatnam, it signifies a boost to India's indigenous maritime preparedness.
• INS Nipun serves as a "mother ship" for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels (DSRVs) and is equipped for deep-sea saturation diving.

Detailed Insights:

• A Diving Support Vessel (DSV) is a specialized platform enabling navies to sustain complex underwater operations for extended periods.
• These operations include inspection, repair, recovery, or intervention around ships, submarines, and other underwater assets.
• Previously, the Indian Navy relied on Russian-origin submarine rescue vessels and a mix of shore facilities for diving operations.
• The contract for two DSVs, including INS Nistar (commissioned July 2025) and INS Nipun, was signed in 2018.
• INS Nipun is a 9,000-tonne vessel equipped with a side diving stage, remotely operated vehicles, and a self-propelled hyperbaric lifeboat.
• Its role as a "mother ship" for DSRVs is crucial for evacuating personnel during submarine emergencies.
• The induction of indigenous DSVs strengthens India's ability to provide submarine rescue assistance to regional partners in the Indian Ocean Region.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Diving Support Vessel (DSV): A specialized ship providing facilities for professional diving operations, including saturation diving and remotely operated vehicle deployment.
• Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV): A small submarine designed to rescue personnel from disabled submarines on the seabed.
• Deep-sea saturation diving: A technique allowing divers to live under pressure for extended periods to work at great depths without repeated decompression.
• Hyperbaric lifeboat: A pressurized lifeboat designed to evacuate divers under pressure, allowing them to continue decompression safely.