GSI Completes Giant Piston Corer Testing

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has finished successful sea trials of their new 30m Giant Piston Corer, supplied by UK-based OSIL, for their new vessel the RV Samudra Ratnakar.

The Giant Piston Corer is capable of achieving varying core lengths of up to 42m in soft, cohesive sediments and muds, owing to its modular core barrel (individual barrel sections are 6m in length). The increased penetration depth of the Giant Piston Corer has made it a much sought after tool for the study of marine sediments.

The system is robust and easy to use. The corer is lowered to the seabed, where the programmable acoustic release mechanism triggers the final free fall penetration to obtain a core sample. The unique 2 stage piston reduces internal friction and prevents plugging of the sample in the liners.

The vessel is now undertaking a National programme on High Resolutions Seabed Mapping and Natural Resource Evaluation (NHRSM & NRE) using the equipment on-board. The Giant Piston Corer is suitable for a variety of applications, including geological studies, marine chemistry, sedimentology, exploration & the study of ocean floor processes.

OSIL are an international provider of environmental monitoring systems and instruments for applications including MetOcean, Dredge Monitoring, Coastal, Harbours, Estuaries and Lakes.  OSIL’s systems include a wide range of inshore, coastal and offshore data buoys, underwater tow vehicles and seabed mounting frames.  Sensor packages include Multiparameter Sondes, CTDs, SVs, ADCPs, Wave Sensors, Meteorological and Oil Spill detection.

OSIL also manufacture a wide range of Sediment Corers including Multiple Corers, Giant Piston Corers, Gravity Corers, Vibro Corers and Box (Spade) Corers.  Additionally OSIL operate the IAPSO Standard Seawater and are also the worldwide provider for the industry standard Guildine salinometers.