The two coastal research vessels viz. Sagar Purvi and Sagar Paschimi are being managed by the Vessel Management Cell (VMC) of NIOT. VMC has been focusing on effective utilization of ship time and trouble free functioning of onboard equipment and machinery. During 2000-2001, both the vessels have completed 45 cruises for 17 Institutions along the west and east coast of India for pollution monitoring under COMAPS and Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management programmes.

Usage of the vessels by various institutions during the year under report is furnished below:

Some of the major accomplishments were:

Video-graphic observations of coral reef in Lakshadweep Islands using Remotely Operable Vehicle along with ICMAM-PD Chennai.

For the first time detailed study on sea turtles and oceanographic data collection were conducted in association with the Forests Department, Orissa at Marine Wild life Park, Bitrakanika.

Environmental data collection studies in Bombay high region for IPSEM, ONGC, Goa

Sagar Paschimi undertook an oceanographic data collection cruise to Laskhsdweep Islands for NIO.