Kochi: Ambulances for fishermen soon

KOCHI: Cochin Shipyard is building three marine ambulances for Fisheries Department to be used for medical emergencies faced by fishermen in sea.

Minister J. Mercikutty Amma inaugurated the keel laying ceremony of the first ambulance at the shipyard on Friday. The ambulances, a crucial demand from fishermen community, are being built using CSR funds from BPCL, Shipyard and Fisheries Department.

It was after disasters like Ockhi that the authorities proposed construction of seaworthy ambulance for rescue operation and immediate treatment of fishermen in distress. Marine ambulances can also be used for normal patrolling.

These ambulance vessels will have an approximate length of 22.5 metres, beam size of about 6.0 metre and a maximum speed of 14 knots. The modern vessel, designed in-house by the CSL will be of high quality and fuel efficient. CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis and model test was done at IIT Chennai to optimise fuel efficiency and firming up the power requirement. 3-D modelling of the entire boat has been done in-house to improve ergonomics and lay-out.

The fuel-efficient vessels can accommodate two patients and will have a crew capacity of seven. The vessel will also have paramedical facilities like examination and nursing room, medical beds, mortuary freeze, refrigerator and medical lockers.  There will be a Jason’s cradle to safely rescue people from sea. The vessels are due for delivery in early 2020. Senior officials from Fisheries Department, BPCL, Indian Register of Shipping and directors and employees of CSL attended the ceremony.