Handing over of fair sheet of grand bay survey to the government of Mauritius

1.Hydrography is an active area of cooperation between India and Mauritius following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Hydrography between the Governments of India and Mauritius during the State Visit of H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam to India in October 2005. Pursuant to the MoU, Indian Naval Survey Ships have undertaken yearly survey work in Mauritian waters. To undertake the survey work requested by the Government of Mauritius, this year Indian Naval Survey Ship 'INS NIRDESHAK' undertook hydrographic survey work in Mauritius waters during March - April 2009. The ship was deployed for carrying out the survey in two phases - the first phase was off St. Brandon (central part of St Brandon from Pearl Island to Baleine Rocks) and the second phase included the survey of Black River Bay, Tamarin Bay, Grand Bay and Riviere des Galets.

2. For the first time, the survey will enable availability of large-scale charts (1: 25000 scale) to sea farers for the Black River Bay, Tamarin Bay and Grand Bay. The fair sheets for survey completed at the Central portion of St Brandon Island, Black River Bay and Riviere des Galets were handed over to the Government of Mauritius on April 15, 2009 to the H.E. Dr. The Hon. Abu Twalib Kasenally, the Minister of Housing and Lands, Government of Mauritius by the High Commissioner of India, Shri. M. Ganapathi.

3. The fair sheet of Grand Bay will be handed over to H.E. Dr. The Hon. Abu Twalib Kasenally, the Minister of Housing and Lands, Government of Mauritius by the High Commissioner of India, Shri M. Ganapathi on July 16, 2009. The survey and production of nautical chart for Grand Bay has been done for the first time in the history of Mauritius. The survey would:

4. The surveys undertaken by Indian Naval Survey Ships have enabled the Government of Mauritius to enhance navigational safety for ships in Mauritius and the outer islands. The surveys will also help boost maritime trade as it will add to the confidence amongst international maritime community towards conducting maritime trade in and around Mauritius. Surveys of the Bays in the Northern and Western part of Mauritius will boost the tourism industry by assisting navigation of pleasure crafts in these Bays. As a result of these surveys, Mauritius has become one of the few countries in Africa to have most of its coastal waters and 100% Ports surveyed. The survey of Grand Bay is likely to give further fillip to tourism and related activities in the area in future.

Port Louis
July 15, 2009.