India’s first indigenous diving support vessel Nistar joins Indian Navy

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Indian Navy commissioned the first of the two Diving Support Vessels, ‘Nistar’ at Visakhapatnam on Friday (July 18). The ceremony was presided over by the minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth, and was attended by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff and other senior dignitaries.Nistar, which has been indigenously designed and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam, marks a significant milestone in India's march towards Aatmanirbharta. With participation of 120 MSMEs and incorporating more than 80 per cent indigenous content, Nistar is a statement to India's ability to build complex ships, at par with international standards.The ship displaces upwards of 10,500 tons (GRT) and measures close to 120 mtr in length and is over 20 mtr wide.

Main roles of the vessel include undertaking deep sea diving and conducting rescue operations from distressed submarines. The specialised diving complex onboard extends over multiple decks, and she is fitted with state-of-the-art systems required for saturation diving missions.Supplementing her underwater capabilities, the ship is equipped with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). As Mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle, in her submarine rescue roles; the ship can deploy ROVs for the intervention and a Submarine Rescue Vehicle for evacuation of personnel from distressed submarines.

Commissioning of Nistar highlights India's steadfast progress towards achieving indigenisation in defence manufacturing and the Indian Navy's resolve towards strengthening its capabilities in the underwater domain. HISTORYIn the 1960s, as the Indian Navy started building its submarine fleet, the need for a submarine rescue vessel was felt. Accordingly, an 800-ton Russian Valdai Class (pennant number SS53) was equipped with a submarine rescue bell and commissioned on March 29, 1971 as Indian Naval Ship Nistar.In Dec 1971, Nistar was the first ship to locate the wreck of ill-fated Pakistani Submarine Gazi which sank off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Nistar’s brave divers recovered critical documents from the sunken submarine which tilted the balance of intelligence in India’s favour. In the subsequent years, Nistar became the mainstay of the Indian Navy’s deep diving operations. After two decades of yeoman service, Nistar was decommissioned on Nov 3, 1989.

NISTAR- EQUIPMENT FITLeading particularsLength overall- 119.7 mBeam-22.8mDisplacement- 10578 T GRTSpeed- 18 knotsComplement- 12 offices, 113 sailorsDiving capabilities saturation dive- 300 mHeliox dive-75 mAir dive-50 mSPHL-12 men capacityWork class ROV-1000 mObservation Class ROV-300 mThe MIGHTY NISTAR (A16)The ship can undertake Air/Mixture gas diving using a side diving stage and open bottom bell.A fully enclosed saturation diving complex enables conduct of saturation dives upto 300 metres through the moon pool.Self-Propelled Hyperbaric lifeboat allows evacuation of divers from the chamber in an emergency.Two remotely operated vehicles enable underwater survey, inspection, and diver monitoring.Name and MeaningNistar, derived from Sanskrit, means liberation or rescue, a befitting name for a vessel designed to deliver with precision in the most challenging maritime conditions. Whether it is rescuing distressed submarines or supporting deep-sea diving missions, Nistar is a true embodiment of its name.CRESTThe crest of the ship depicts an anchor symbolising maritime dominance and stability while the dolphin signifies specialized diving and rescue roles.MOTTODeliverance with Precision and Bravery encapsulates the core values of the vessel.