INS Makar (J31)

INS Makar (J31) is a Alcock Ashdown survey catamaran used for hydrographic survey by the Indian Navy. It is the first vessel of her class and was built indigenously in India by Alcock Ashdown Limited, Gujarat.

Description
The INS Makar is tasked with undertaking hydrographic surveys for producing navigational charts and is capable of collecting marine environmental information by conducting limited oceanographic surveys.

Equipped with four engines and two bow thrusters, INS Makar has an Integrated Platform Management System that combines the vessel's power, navigation and propulsion systems. She also carries onboard survey motorboats, autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles for carrying out surveys. INS Makar is further fitted with a wide range of survey equipment that includes sounding systems, bottom profilers and an advanced electronic positioning system. Air conditioned data processing facilities are available on board the INS Makar's caravan.

Service history
Laid down in 2008, she was launched two years later at Bhavnagar and was commissioned into the Navy at the Seabird Naval Base, Karwar in September 2012 by the then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha. She is named for the constellation of Capricorn.