Indian Navy’s First Survey Vessel Large, INS Sandhayak, concludes goodwill visit to Singapore

INS Sandhayak, the first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) of the Indian Navy equipped with state-of-the-art hydrography survey capabilities, has concluded its maiden visit to Singapore. The ship departed from the Changi Naval Base in Singapore on 12 August, marking the culmination of a goodwill visit aligned with India’s Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR initiative, a naval spokesperson said.

The visit coincided with Singapore’s National Day and strengthened the growing synergy between the two nations in maritime-domain awareness and hydrographic cooperation.

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During the port of call, Commanding Officer Captain N Dheeraj called on Gary Chew, Assistant Chief Hydrographer, Singapore, and Colonel Chauah Meng Soon, Commander 9th Flotilla, Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

The interaction underscored the shared commitment to enhancing hydrographic cooperation, sharing of best practices, and deepening maritime domain cooperation in the region. Both sides acknowledged the critical role of accurate hydrography in ensuring navigational safety, protecting marine infrastructure, and supporting maritime trade.

A key highlight of the visit was hosting Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) personnel on board and showcasing the Indian Navy’s hydrographic capabilities.

The visit featured a walk-through of the state-of-the-art onboard systems, with the team sharing insights on hydrographic history, data capturing methods, data processing, and joint operational roles in enhancing India-Singapore maritime synergy.

The ship also welcomed a group of schoolchildren on board as part of an educational outreach programme. The young visitors were given an immersive tour of the vessel’s cutting-edge hydrographic equipment, survey boats, and chart production units. The ship’s crew explained how ocean mapping enhances navigational safety, protects marine ecosystems, and supports other maritime functions.