About Us

FORUM FOR RIVER AND OCEAN SCIENTISTS AND TECHNOLOGISTS (FROST)

  • FROST is a non-profit technical society/ forum like Institution of Engineers(India), Institution of Marine Engineers or Institution of Naval Architects.

    FROST has been conceived as a conglomeration of people who would provide a thought process for growth in Oceanographic study, Maritime sector, Shipbuilding and industrial sector, Riverine sector and Sustainability areas in the water sector in an independent manner based on collective knowledge and discussions at national and international levels.

    The group also evinces keen interest in maritime history and marine archaeology.

    Inland waterways and coastal waters are the least developed in India, particularly in the State of Odisha in spite of being a coastal state with around 480 km of coast line, which includes many rivers and the Chilika lagoon. Boats frequently capsize causing loss of life and boat. There is hardly any cargo movement, no water sports or tourism in spite of vast potential of eco-tourism and heritage tourism. Fishing activity is primitive and unsafe. The rivers and Chilika lagoon with its vast potential resources get silted, the beaches get frequently eroded leading to population migration along the coast. River waters are polluted and unsafe for human use.

    Though some states have better regulatory mechanisms than others but overall we compare poorly as regards safety of passengers, unified rules for boats on rivers, lakes, dams and in water crossings are still not in place or implemented. There is a big lag in awareness and perceptions in this area as compared to neighbouring countries and the world in general.

    The administrative and regulatory mechanism in this sector is almost non-existent. FROST is to generate awareness amongst administrators, beaurucrats and public in general in relevant areas, disseminate knowledge and skill to various stake holders and students, assist government and other stake holders in developing a road map for progress in this sector, policy generation for this purpose and highlight immediate issues of concern and growth as and when necessary.

    We also undertake institutional awareness, academic upgradation, webinars and academic lecture and value addition sessions on request.

Aims & Objectives

  • Oceanographic study areas – academic and research.
    Technologies in the maritime sector.
    Technologies in the shipbuilding and industrial sector.
    Technologies and sciences in the riverine sector.
    Sustainability areas in the water sector.
    Generate awareness among administrators, bureaucrats, and public in general regarding rivers and oceans.
    Study the ecology of Odisha of both the coastal and inland waters.
    Assist in enhancing the maritime safety of boats and small crafts.
    Organise industrial, commercial, trade, exhibitions fairs and museums for the creating awareness.
    Conduct Webinars on diverse areas of scientific and practical concerns in all aspects and areas related to water
    Interact with academic and technical institutions and bodies actively pursuing education, research and training in water related aspects across the spectrum

Office Bearers

  • Prof S C Misra, President, FROST

    Dr Suresh Chandra Misra graduated with B Tech(Hons) in Naval Architecture from IIT Kharagpur in 1970 and obtained his Ph D from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK in 1976.


    After a brief stint as design engineer in Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. at Visakhapatnam, he joined IIT Kharagpur as faculty and retired as Professor in 2013. From 2009 to 2013 he was the first Director of Indian Maritime University, Visakhapatnam campus.


    After retirement he has been a visiting faculty at IMU and of Hindustan Institute of Maritime Technology, Chennai. He has served as the Chairman of Naval Research Board, DRDO NewDelhi, from 2016 till 2021.


    Currently he is a member of Board of Governors of National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai. In the past, he has been a member of the Technical Committee of Indian Register of Shipping, Mumbai and a member of the Indian Technical Committee of Class NK, Japan.


    He has been associated with design and construction of coastal research vessels for NIOT, passenger vessels for Andaman Islands, design of a feeder container vessel and marine engineering laboratories in Indian marine engineering colleges. He has written two books as single author: ‘Design Principles of Ships and Marine Structures’ and ‘Glorious Water Transport Heritage of Kalinga – Ancient to Recent Times’. He has obtained the Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2021 of IIT Kharagpur.


    He has also been conferred the Eminent Engineer Award in the Marine Engineering Division of of the Institution of Engineers, India in December 2022. In March 2024 he has been awarded a Thank you citation for all-round contribution in the field of Naval Architecture by the Institution of Naval Architects, Mumbai. He is the Founder President of the technical society, Forum for River and Ocean Scientists and Technologies (FROST).






  • Dr. P Misra, Vice President, FROST

    Dr. P Misra did his engineering from DMET 69-73 and served for 11 years in the SCI and Univan in various capacities. He joined the DG Shipping in 1984 and retired in Dec 2012 as Joint DG (tech) and PO Chennai. Thereafter he has been a consultant and advisor to several universities, organizations and institutions. He is a consultant with IMO and GOI. He has published several books and serves in the peer and apex bodies of IIT research bodies and scientific institutions.


    He has the following qualifications which includes two PhDs. PhD (Engg), PhD (Mgmt), Extra first Class Engineer, MA (Economics), BG Law


    Specialization :: Vessel safety, Human Safety Analysis, Examination and certification Systems, Quality, Forensic Investigation.


    Research Papers :: 34 papers in international journals, 152 in national and peer reviewed journals.


    Project Undertaken:: Setting up of quality management systems, Examination and certification systems,Investigation of various accidents and incidents, Sailing and fishing vessel safety enhancements and systems, Seafarer welfare projects. He has audited 7 adminstrations in the Asia-pacific region and eastern Europe besides Australia.


    His professional associations are and not limited to MRInA, FIMarE, MSnamE, MICS, MINA, MIE, MEMIandC


    He can be reached at - purnendumisra@yahoo.com


TOGETHER WE WORK