Port Blair, May 27: On Saturday another newly built ship “Horn Bill” got inducted into the services of the Islands by Mr. Vikram Dev Dutt, IAS, Principal Secretary (Shipping), A&N Administration at a brief function held at Cholunga Jetty, Port Blair. This is the 4th vessel of the 150 passenger capacity harbour ferry vessel, that has been delivered in 2017 -18. The Director of Shipping Services informed that the first three vessels i.e. the Sher Ali, the Dugong and the Padauk were inducted in service during January 2018 and presently all are plying with in Port Blair harbour ferry sector. The Horn Bill also has been deployed initially at Port Blair and later on these vessels shall be positioned at outer station according to the need. However, these being I.V. vessels shall continue to operate in the Harbour ferry sector. These vessels are of 25 m length and 8 m width and can attain a maximum speed of 11 Knots with help of two 300 BHP engines. These vessels have crew accommodation which will help in providing uninterrupted services.
Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary (Sipping) emphasized that Shipping being the lifeline of these Islands, everyone connected with shipping services need to put extra efforts to make the sector better and more reliable. He invited active participation and cooperation of DSS and SCI employees and expressed that active cooperation of IRS and Mercantile Marine Departments are also essential in making shipping services most reliable and comfortable. He informed that A & N Administration is also vigorously pursuing the progress of the construction of the 02 new vessels for Mainland Sector and 02 for Inter Island sector. The construction of 02 Nos. 500 PAX capacity vessels meant for Inter Island sector is on schedule and the vessels are expected to be delivered by May 2019.