'Water garbage scooper' unveiled at naval base in Kochi

Kochi: An eco-friendly ‘water garbage scooper’ was launched by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at the naval base here on Friday, as part of the efforts of the SNC towards environmental protection.

The innovative appliance consists of a floating platform with a scooper, which can be propelled over the water surface to collect floating garbage such as plastic bottles and thermocol, a press release from the defence said.

The scooper dumps the garbage into a collection tray, which can be subsequently emptied on shore.

A demonstration of the platform was witnessed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), SNC, and other naval personnel, it said.

The equipment has been entirely designed and manufactured inhouse – using available items of scrap – at the naval ship repair yard of SNC.

A number of trials was carried out to establish its proper functioning and safe operation, before it was formally commissioned, the release said.

The water garbage scooper is a zero emission platform, and has been equipped with all the basic controls paddlewheel and rudder to manoeuvre in shallow waters and narrow channels.

The operator sits atop a modified bicycle seat, controls the paddlewheel through a pedal and chain mechanism and the steering using the bicycle handle.

This platform would enhance the clean-up drive of the Venduruthy Channel – which was launched by SNC in June – manifold, the release said.

The FOC-in-C congratulated the entire team from the naval ship repair yard that was involved in the project, it added.