CHENNAI: Roger Revelle, a US-based research vessel, weighed anchor at Chennai last week, as part of a collaborative effort between India and US to map and forecast Monsoons in the Bay of Bengal better.
The vessel belonging to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography was welcomed on port by the acting US Consul General, Nicholas Manring who informed that the vessel is taking part in the Joint Research program between the two countries on ‘Monsoons and Ocean Mixing.’
Speaking about the research program, Manring informed that apart from improving accuracy of forecasting the initiation of monsoons, the visit also signifies growing scientific partnerships between the two countries. “Fostering bilateral relationships between the two countries is one of the main agendas of this visit and it will also aid in promoting stability and peace in the region,” said Manring.
During the joint research program, scientists from both countries will attempt to understand the dynamics of monsoons in the international waters of the Bay of Bengal touching upon several aspects of oceanography which have an impact on a number of regional countries. Speaking about the program, Frank Herr, the Head of Ocean Research Department said, “The aim of this move is to acquire knowledge necessary to forecast the monsoons accurately and we also look forward to the scientific discoveries and innovations that will come out of the joint work of these academic scientists”. Herr further dubbed the joint exercise as ‘an important moment in the history of scientific partnerships between the two countries.’
The vessel remained at Harbour from June 14 to 16 and has embarked on the joint exercise in which oceanography experts and scientists from both countries will take part.