INS Nireekshak (A15)

INS Nireekshak is a diving support vessel (DSV) of Indian Navy. It can also function as interim submarine rescue vessel (SRV).

Nireekshak was originally built by M/s Mazagon Dock Limited, Mumbai for ONGC's offshore oil exploration work having a dynamic position facility and a recompression chamber. It was however acquired on lease with an option for purchase by Indian Navy and was commissioned on 8 June 1989. The ship was modified and refitted with the diving bell and other rescue equipment removed from the Russian Submarine rescue vessel INS Nistar in a dry dock. In March 1995 the purchase option was invoked and the vessel was formally re-commissioned on 15 September 1995. The ship is equipped with two Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles (DSRV), capable of taking 12 men to 300 meters together, with two six-man recompression chambers and one three-man diving bell. It is intended to facilitate rescue from a submarine in distress and training of saturation divers. Its pennant number is A-15.

Specification

 * Displacement: 2,160 tons full load.
 * Length: 70.5 meters
 * Beam: 17.5 meters
 * Engine & Propulsion: Two diesel engines with 4410 hp sustained, two shafts, cp props,
 * Dynamic Truster System: Kongsberg ADP-503 Mk.II, two bow thrusters, two stern thrusters with 990 hp.
 * Maximum Speed: 12 knots.
 * Complement: 63 (incl. 15 officers).