PNS Behr Paima
Encyclopedia
Behr Paima is a hydrographic
survey
and Research vessel
owned by Pakistan Navy
. Her keel
was laid on 16 February 1982 and was launched on 7 July 1982 in Japan
. The ship was handed over to Pakistan Navy
on 27 December, same year. The ship was equipped with most modern surveying systems of the time. The hydrographic systems have been upgraded since then from time to time and hence are parallel with modern trends and techniques available in the world
. Most of the oceanographic equipments are however, of the original outfit.
, Microwave
Positioning systems, Dual Frequency Echo Sounders, Multibeam and Side Scan Sonars, Radio Tide Gauges
, Profilers, Current Meters, CTD and Hydrographic data acquisition and processing software. Additionally there are Oceanographic and Geophysical research instruments. There are two Survey Boats equipped with DGPS and survey equipment to facilitate the surveying of shallow and inshore waters.
creeks. However, sea area west and south of Karachi
has been thoroughly surveyed. The ship also provided valuable data for building of Jinnah Naval Base channel in Ormara
. Pakistan’s deep water port at Gwadar
was also planned based on data rendered by the ship. The corresponding series of charts on different scales have been published for the entire coast of Pakistan based on ships surveyed data. The ship has also conducted dredging surveys, wreck search, north markings, tidal data collections, and detached surveys etc.
Hydrography
Hydrography is the measurement of the depths, the tides and currents of a body of water and establishment of the sea, river or lake bed topography and morphology. Normally and historically for the purpose of charting a body of water for the safe navigation of shipping...
survey
Survey vessel
A survey vessel is any type of ship or boat that is used for mapping. It is a type of research vessel.-Role:The task of survey vessels is to map the bottom, benthic zone, full water column, and surface for the purpose of:* hydrography* general oceanography...
and Research vessel
Research vessel
A research vessel is a ship designed and equipped to carry out research at sea. Research vessels carry out a number of roles. Some of these roles can be combined into a single vessel, others require a dedicated vessel...
owned by Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
. Her keel
Keel
In boats and ships, keel can refer to either of two parts: a structural element, or a hydrodynamic element. These parts overlap. As the laying down of the keel is the initial step in construction of a ship, in British and American shipbuilding traditions the construction is dated from this event...
was laid on 16 February 1982 and was launched on 7 July 1982 in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. The ship was handed over to Pakistan Navy
Pakistan Navy
The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...
on 27 December, same year. The ship was equipped with most modern surveying systems of the time. The hydrographic systems have been upgraded since then from time to time and hence are parallel with modern trends and techniques available in the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
. Most of the oceanographic equipments are however, of the original outfit.
Design and Development
The initial conceptual work of Behr Paima was started in Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) when the PCSIR scientists independently started the work in the PCSIR Karachi Laboratories. The project was financed by the Government of Japan and the vessel was constructed in Japan. The ship was launched in 1982 and later handed over to the Pakistan Navy in December of 1982.Instruments and equipment
The vessel has six deck winches and three laboratories equipped with a range of survey equipments and instruments. Hydrogaphic equipment includes variety of Differential Global Positioning System, Electronic Chart Display and Information SystemElectronic Chart Display and Information System
An Electronic Chart Display and Information System is a computer-based navigation information system that complies with International Maritime Organization regulations and can be used as an alternative to paper nautical charts...
, Microwave
Microwave
Microwaves, a subset of radio waves, have wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as short as one millimeter, or equivalently, with frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. This broad definition includes both UHF and EHF , and various sources use different boundaries...
Positioning systems, Dual Frequency Echo Sounders, Multibeam and Side Scan Sonars, Radio Tide Gauges
Tide gauge
A tide gauge is a device for measuring sea level and detecting tsunamis.Sensors continuously record the height of the water level with respect to a height reference surface close to the geoid...
, Profilers, Current Meters, CTD and Hydrographic data acquisition and processing software. Additionally there are Oceanographic and Geophysical research instruments. There are two Survey Boats equipped with DGPS and survey equipment to facilitate the surveying of shallow and inshore waters.
Survey work
The ship, since its induction, has carried-out extensive survey of Pakistan's coastal areas on different scales. The ship partially surveyed the south-eastern sea-front of Pakistan that comprises Indus River DeltaIndus River Delta
The Indus River Delta , forms where the Indus River flows into the Arabian Sea in Pakistan. The delta covers an area of about 41,440 km² , and is approximately 210 km across where it meets the sea. The active part of the delta is 6,000 km² in area. The climate is arid, the region only receives...
creeks. However, sea area west and south of Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
has been thoroughly surveyed. The ship also provided valuable data for building of Jinnah Naval Base channel in Ormara
Ormara
Ormara is a port city located in the Makran or coastal region of Balochistan Province in Pakistan. It is located 360 km west of Karachi and 230 km east of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea. This port is also mentioned in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea as Oraea.- History :Ormara is an old...
. Pakistan’s deep water port at Gwadar
Gwadar port
Gwadar Port is a developing warm-water, deep-sea port situated at Gwadar in Balochistan province of Pakistan at the apex of the Arabian Sea and at the entrance of the Persian Gulf, about 460 km west of Karachi and approximately east of Pakistan's border with Iran...
was also planned based on data rendered by the ship. The corresponding series of charts on different scales have been published for the entire coast of Pakistan based on ships surveyed data. The ship has also conducted dredging surveys, wreck search, north markings, tidal data collections, and detached surveys etc.
See also
- Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
- Government of PakistanGovernment of PakistanThe Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...