ENC deploys two P8i Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft with advanced Electro-optics and radars, two Dornier aircraft and twelve ships with integral helicopters to join the search operations initiated to locate the Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft reported missing approx 300 km due East of Chennai this morning. The AN-32 was on a routine sortie from Air Force Station Tambaram to Port Blair and reported to have 29 personnel onboard including the crew.

Four ships of ENC which were deployed in the Bay of Bengal on different missions, have been diverted to the search area and eight ships of Eastern Fleet with Fleet Cdr embarked onboard which are on return passage from the South China Sea are also proceeding at best speed to join the search operations. A submarine at sea is also diverted to the area for locating the transmissions from emergency locator beacon onboard the aircraft.

*******

CGR

Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Tarkash and Deepak under the command of Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Ravneet Singh, NM entered Manama today.

During the visit, the crew of IN ships will undertake professional interactions with the Royal Bahrain Naval Force (RBNF) pertaining to nuances of maritime operations, including means of combating maritime terrorism and piracy. In addition, calls on senior Government and military authorities, sporting and cultural interactions and sharing of best practices, aimed at enhancing cooperation as well as strengthening mutual understanding between the two navies, are also planned. The visiting IN ships are also likely to conduct exercises with the RBNF.

The current four day visit by IN ships will facilitate sharing of best practices, enhance maritime cooperation and evolve a shared understanding of the maritime security challenges, between the Indian Navy and the Royal Bahrain Naval Force. It will further bolster the strong bonds of friendship between India and Bahrain and enhance the security and stability in this vital part of the Indian Ocean Region. INS Delhi is commanded by Capt Sandeep Singh Sandhu, INS Tarkash is commanded by Capt Pradeep Singh, NM and INS Deepak is commanded by Capt Sujit Kumar Chhetri.

Bilateral relations between India and Bahrain are characterised by strong bonds of friendship based on cultural and economic ties dating back to ancient contacts between the Indus valley civilization in India and Dilmun civilization in Bahrain. Presence of over 350,000 Indian nationals, comprising nearly a third of Bahrain’s total population is an important facet of this strong bilateral relationship. High level visits from both sides, rising trade and investment and growing convergence on counter-terrorism and security issues has provided new impetus to this strong and age-old relationship. IN ships Delhi, Deepak, Trishul and Tabar last visited Manama in September 2015. A delegation from the Royal Bahrain Naval Force also participated in the recently concluded International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam, India.

DKS/CKP
36/16

1. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parrikar, accompanied by Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff, and Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, undertook a sortie today from Naval Air Station Rajali at Arakkonam onboard an Indian Naval P-8I Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft for reviewing the Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for the missing AN-32 aircraft of the IAF. During the sortie that lasted nearly two haurs, he witnessed coordinated efforts involving ships and aircraft, including helicopter operations from the Navy’s LPD INS Jalashwa. He directed that maximum resources be pressed into service so as to undertake effective SAR. He was briefed about the challenges of undertaking SAR under monsoon conditions with heavy rain, cloud cover, rough sea condition and most importantly depths of over 3500 metres in the area. He was also briefed about future plans involving additional ships and a submarine that were heading for the area to join in the SAR operations.

2. Apart from aspects related to the optimum deployment of resources for SAR operations, the Hon’ble RM enquired about the families of missing Service and civilian personnel. He was assured that constant liaison was being maintained with all families, and that all possible help was being rendered to them.

CGR

The foundation stone for ‘Sahara’ Hostel, a hostel for Widows’ of naval personnel, was laid by Admiral RK Dhowan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff and Mrs Minu Dhowan, President NWWA today, 18 May 2016. It is a first and unique welfare activity for the naval widows being set up by the Navy at New Delhi and is aimed at providing relief to the immediate family.

Towards this end, a suitable plot at D-6, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi was acquired by Indian Navy on 20 Jan 11 from DDA towards construction of the hostel for Widows’ of naval personnel. Upon obtaining necessary approval from various Govt. agencies, the “Building Permit” has since been obtained from South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on 08 Apr 16. The construction is expected to commence soon and the project is likely to be completed by Aug 2018. The four story building will have 36 studio apartments, a recreational cum dining hall, vocational training centre, ECHS and a canteen. The Sahara Hostel would provide relief to the Veer naris to help them tide over the difficult times that arise consequent to the demise of the naval personnel.

The men and women behind our machines have always remained the greatest asset and strength of the Navy. The demise of a colleague is therefore not only a great loss for the navy but is also a traumatic experience for the family. It is therefore imperative that the navy assists the Veer naris in those unfortunate circumstances and provide necessary support towards their rehabilitation. To achieve this objective and to build on the time tested tradition of camaraderie and brotherhood in the service, the navy has put in place a Naval Regiment System to look after the welfare of its personnel, their families and dependents throughout the lifespan of the naval family.

____________________________________________________________________________

DKS/CKP

In response to the request for assistance made by the Government of Sri Lanka and as an expression of our solidarity, Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, announced on May 19, 2016 that India would provide aid on emergency basis to help assist those affected by the floods and landslides in various parts of Sri Lanka.

Pursuant to this commitment, India dispatched two ships of the Indian Navy from Kochi on the morning of May 20, 2016, carrying various relief supplies. The same day, an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft was also sent with additional supplies.

The C-17 aircraft, carrying around 50 tonnes of relief material, landed at Katunayake airport. Its cargo included 700 tents, 1000 tarpaulin sheets, 10 electric generators, 100 emergency lamps and medication against epidemics for 10,000 people, apart from torches, rain coats, umbrellas, folding mattresses, water filters and water purification equipment. These had been identified as priority relief materials by Sri Lankan authorities.

In a simple ceremony today at Katunayake Airport, Shri Y. K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, handed over the relief materials to Hon. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Minister of Disaster Management of Sri Lanka. Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsingha, Mr. S. S. Miyanawala, Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and other senior officials of Sri Lankan Government and Air Force were also present on the occasion.

Separately, the two Indian Navy Ships (INS Sutlej and INS Sunayna) docked today at Colombo Port. Their cargo of over 30 tonnes was handed over by Shri Y. K. Sinha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, to Hon. Harsha de Silva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka. This included inflatable boats,diving equipment, medical supplies, drinking water, water purification tablets, rations and consumables.Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and senior officials from Sri Lanka Navy were also present on the occasion.

Sri Lanka occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of Indians, and India’s emergency relief assistance is a manifestation of our abiding friendship. India will continue to work closely with the Government of Sri Lanka to address longer term rehabilitation needs of the affected people as part of its development partnership with Sri Lanka.

DKS

On the occasion of Independence Day, the Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) organised a programme at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt to bring cheer to the admitted patients of the Palliative Care Centre and the Paediatric Ward. Smt Reena Lanba, President NWWA, accompanied by Smt Anita Puri, Aarogya Group Coordinator of the NWWA, distributed sweets to the patients and interacted with them. The tiny tots of the Paediatric Ward were also presented toys by the NWWA President.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt Lanba said that the NWWA was dedicated to bringing succour and cheer into the difficult lives of service personnel and their families. Celebration of Independence Day is an inclusive event, and everybody, even those battling illness and admitted to hospital, should be included in the celebrations of this joyful occasion. She hoped that the actions of the NWWA would bring a ray of hope and happiness into the suffering of the patients.

Maj Gen AK Tewari, Commandant, Brig R Ghuliani, HOD & Consultant Paediatrics and Lt Col Pradeep Behal, Officer-in-Charge of the Palliative Care Centre of Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, Mrs ArunaKorde, Vice President NWWA and Mrs Sapna Chawla, Co-ordinator Sahara and Anubhavi Groups of the NWWA were also present on the occasion.

DKS/ GY

Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Mhadei (INSV Mhadei) sailed from Goa with an all-women crew for a voyage to Port Louis, Mauritius today. The boat is being skippered by Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi (a Naval Constructor). This would be the first open-ocean voyage of the Navy’s all-women crew of Mhadei, who are currently training to undertake a circumnavigation of the globe in 2017.

The crew comprising Lt P Swathi, Lt B Aishwarya, Lt Pratibha Jamwal, Lt Vijaya and Lt Payal Gupta would be undertaking this arduous voyage through rough seas and heavy weather, expected during the Monsoons, in the Arabian Sea. This is a training voyage to expose the young crew to weather that would be faced by them during the circumnavigation in 2017.

All the women officers are keen sailors who took to the sport after joining the Indian Navy. The Skipper, Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi and Lt Swathi have been part of Mhadei crew on earlier voyages. The officers have undergone theoretical training in Navigation, Communication, Meteorology and Seamanship at the navy’s training schools in Kochi. Since then, the Officers have been training under Cdr Dilip Donde, India’s first Circumnavigator, who undertook his voyage on the same boat, in 2008-09.

The all-women crew circumnavigation of the Globe would be undertaken on board the new sailing vessel of the Navy presently under-construction at M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Goa. The yet-to-be-named boat is expected to be delivered to the Navy by Feb 2017. The Navy is in the process of setting up an Ocean Sailing node at Goa to promote Ocean sailing and a spirit of adventure amongst young naval officers and sailors. Mhadei and her sister vessel would be based at this node in Goa. The exploits of this all-women crew on board Mhadei, alongwith accounts of their voyage and photographs, can be followed on the Facebook page ‘Mhadei’. The boat is expected to enter Port Louis on 11/12 Jun 16 and return to Goa by early Jul 16.

DKS/CKP
42/16

The second day of ongoing Joint Disaster Management Exercise named Prakampana witnessed Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) capability demonstration beginning with display of air assets of IN and IAF at Naval Air Station INS Dega followed by demonstration of HADR operations from IN Ships at Naval Dockyard, and a Static Demonstration of HADR assets of all participating stake holders at HADR Campsite near Samudrika grounds. All participants of the exercise visited all three sites and were given an insight into the nuances of disaster relief operations.

The air assets demonstration included AN-32 aircraft involved in airlifting relief material and as Air Ambulance and 2 Mi17 heavy lift helicopters of the Indian Air Force in addition to Dornier, Seaking, UH3H and Chetak helicopters of the Indian Navy. Demonstration inside Naval Dockyard included IN Ships Jalashwa and Gharial loading/unloading of HADR relief material while INS Nirupak demonstrated the role of an Hospital Ship. Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Paheredar demonstrated the pollution response capabilities. The demonstration at the HADR campsite included setting up Incident Command Post and display of various equipment used in road clearance and relief operations from Engineers Regiment and Medical Team from Southern Command, NDRF, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), District Disaster Response Team, BSNL, Naval Diving Team and Indian Navy Disaster Response Team.

******

CGR

Vice Admiral Girish Luthra took over the reins of Western Naval Command (WNC) as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) on 31 May 16 from Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba at a ceremonial parade held at INS Shikra. Later in the day, officers of the Western Naval Command accorded Vice Admiral Lanba a warm send off, with the traditional ‘Pulling Out’ ceremony. Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba will take over as the Chief of Naval Staff tomorrow.

Addressing the personnel on parade, Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba complimented the personnel of the command who, not withstanding the constrains of the service, have worked with synergy and teamwork in ensuring that ships, submarines and aricrafts are maintained in a high state of combat readiness at all times. In keeping with the fragile maritime environment of the region, he said that, there is a need to be ever vigilant in all quarters and all fronts. He said that he had no doubt that fire power from units of fleet, flotillas and squadrons can be delivered appropriately should the need arise.

Pointing towards the International Fleet Review held recently at Visakhapatnam, Vice Admiral Lanba said that presence of 50 countries in the review clearly indicates the growing stature of the country in the region. He added that many countries have expressed the desire to cooperate and exercise with Indian Navy which is indicative of professionalism, training and sound culture displayed by the service. He also urged the need to continue working together to bring change and work smartly. He also apprised the personnel on the steps taken by WNC in addressing the long standing issue of shortage of married accommodation.

*****

RS/SDR/NV MB/44/16

In a demonstration of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and Indian Navy’s increasing footprint and operational reach, Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kirch under the Command of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral S V Bhokare, YSM, NM have arrived at Cam Ranh Bay on a four day visit, as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea and Western Pacific.

During the visit, the IN ships will have professional interaction with the Vietnam People’s Navy towards further enhancing co-operation between the two forces. In addition, calls on senior Government and military authorities, sporting and cultural interactions and sharing of best practices, aimed at strengthening ties and mutual understanding between the two Navies, are also planned. The visiting IN ships are also likely to conduct exercises with the Vietnam People’s Navy, aimed at enhancing interoperability in communication as well as Search and Rescue procedures, post departure from Cam Ranh Bay. INS Satpura is commanded by Captain A N Pramod and INS Kirch is commanded by Commander Sharad Sinsunwal.

Bilateral relations between India and Vietnam are characterised by strong bonds of friendship based on cultural, religious and economic ties dating back to 2nd Century AD. The influence of Indian civilisation speaks of the deep rooted historical linkages between the nations. Indo-Vietnam relations have been strengthened in recent times by a vibrant economic relationship and growing convergence on security issues. India is now among the top ten trading partners of Vietnam. The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative, which has a unique civilisational foundation, has tremendous potential to become a powerful catalyst for socio-economic development in the region.

The Indian Navy has had extensive interactions with Vietnam People’s Navy, particularly in the field of training, repairs, maintenance and logistics support aimed at capacity building. Reciprocal port visits, high-level delegations and training exchanges have bolstered naval cooperation between the two countries. The last visit by an IN ship to Vietnam was in October 2015, when Sahyadri berthed at Da Nang.

The current visit seeks to enhance maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Vietnam People’s Navy. It will further bolster the strong bonds of friendship between India and Vietnam and contribute to security and stability in this vital part of the world.

DKS
45/16

The seventh ship of LCU MK IV project is launched Today 24 November 2016 at an impressive ceremony at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata.

The chief guest, Dr Subhash Ramarao Bhamre , Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri alongwith Vice Admiral DM Deshpande AVSM, VSM, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition(CWP&A), Chairman & Managing Director GRSE and various other dignitaries were present for the launch ceremony.

Rear Admiral AK Verma (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE Ltd, commenced the proceedings with a formal welcome, which was followed by an address by the Chief Guest.

In accordance with traditions, invocations from Atharva Veda were recited and Smt Bina Bhamre, wife of Hon’ble RRM, applied ‘Kumkum’ on the ship’s stem. She, thereafter, named the ship ‘LCU-L57’, wished the ship good luck and launched the vessel.

LCU-L57 is the seventh vessel in the series of eight Landing Craft Utility Ships being designed and built by M/s GRSE for the Indian Navy. The ship can be deployed for multirole activities like beaching operations, humanitarian and disaster relief operations and evacuation from distant islands.

DKS/AC

Indian Navy’s sail Boat INSV Mhadei sailed into Port Louis, Mauritius today at 1 pm with the first all-women crew. The Navy’s famous sailing vessel Mhadei set sail from her home port, Goa, on 24 May 16 on this historic first open ocean voyage by an all-women crew on any vessel of the Indian Navy. Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, a Naval Architect, is the first woman Skipper of Mhadei. The boat is crewed by Lieutenant P Swathi, Lieutenant Pratibha Jamwal (Air Traffic Control specialists), Lieutenant Vijaya Devi, Sub Lieutenant Payal Gupta (both Education officers) and Lieutenant B Aishwarya a Naval Architect.

The 2100 Nm voyage was covered by the crew in 20 days passing through rough seas whipped up by the South West Monsoons. The timing of the voyage was chosen to expose the crew to rough weather that they are likely to encounter during their attempt to circumnavigate the Globe in 2017. Mhadei encountered winds of up to 35 kts, Sea states up to 5 and a swell of up to 5m during the onward leg from Goa to Mauritius. This adequately met the training aims of the voyage. The strenuous journey also provided the crew with an opportunity to consolidate upon their theoretical and practical training undergone thus far.

Mhadei was received by the Mauritian Coast Guard vessel Retriever outside Port Louis harbor and was escorted to her berth. Alongside, she was received by the Acting High Commissioner of India, the Commandant of the National Coast Guard and other officers and families of the Indian High Commission. Ten women Police officers of Mauritius embarked Mhadei 10 miles outside the harbor and sailed into Port with her crew. During their stay, the crew will call on the Hon. President of Mauritius, the Hon. Minister for Gender Equality and Child Development, Govt of Mauritius and various other dignitaries. The boat will also be open to visitors and school children. Mhadei is also expected to undertake day sorties off Port Louis for selected groups of people.

The return journey from Port Louis to Goa is slated to commence on 24 Jun 16. Mhadei is expected to arrive Goa in early July 16. The women officers are training to form an all-women crew that would attempt to circumnavigate the Globe next year.

****

DKS/AC/GY

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting of Home Ministers, Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs) of Coastal States and Union Territories in Mumbai today. The meeting has been convened to review the coastal security of India.

During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed all aspects of security along the country's 7,516 km long coastline. The Minister stressed upon the need to safeguard not only industrial, commercial establishments and strategic installations, but also the entire coastline from external threats through sea routes. He said that steps have been initiated post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, wherein Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is designated as the authority responsible for coastal security in territorial waters including areas to be patrolled by coastal police. Indian Navy is responsible for overall maritime security including coastal security and offshore security. Indian coasts are guarded by a 3-tier system of State Marine Police, Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that the ICG conducts coastal security exercises involving all stakeholders in all coastal states/UTs biannually to validate these Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), prepared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for functioning of coastal police stations and also ICG promulgates these SOPs for coordination among various agencies on coastal security issues. The Minister said that the coastline has been further secured by the creation of chain of static sensors and Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers along the Indian Coast and Radars operated by the ICG at 45 locations while 38 more Radars are planned to be installed for gapless surveillance of the coastline. Shri Rajnath Singh also said that the MHA has issued Guidelines to the coastal states/UTs in regard to security of non-major ports. Further, he informed that for training of coastal police, in-principle approval has been accorded for setting up of National Marine Police Training Institute in Gujarat and State Marine Police Training Centres in the Police Training Academies of States and Union Territories. In order to track illegal movement, registration of fishing vessels has been made compulsory and for sensitizing fishermen on safety issues, community interaction programmes are conducted by Indian Coast Guard.

The Minister said that consequent upon implementation of these important initiatives, our coasts are far more secure now. To strengthen the monitoring and coordination mechanism for the entire gamut of coastal security, the Government has set up an institutional mechanism at the State and the District level, and has strengthened the MHA level Steering Committee at the National Level for review of coastal security, he added.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the issues of maritime terrorism and its economic implications. He also invited suggestions from the Coastal States/UTs for the Phase-III of the Coastal Security Scheme to be implemented in next five years.

The Minister said that with the active cooperation of all the State Governments & Union Territories and with the efforts of the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and other Ministries as well as agencies like the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and the Coastal Police, coastal security will continue to improve and our entire coastline will be fully secured from any threat from the sea.

During the meeting, the Coastal Security Scheme managed by the Government of India with an objective of strengthening the infrastructure of Coastal States/ UTs for coastal patrolling and surveillance, was also discussed. Under the scheme, assistance is given to all Coastal States and Union Territories to set up coastal police stations, check posts, outposts and construction of jetties for berthing of police boats. Presently, the Phase II of this Scheme is in progress.

There were discussions on expeditious implementation of coastal security scheme, institutional set up in States/UTs to review coastal security, constitution of State Maritime Boards, security of non-major ports and single point mooring, coastal mapping, security of islands, distribution of Biometric Identity Cards and Card Readers, colour coding of boats, monitoring of fish landing points and crossing of International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) by fishermen.

Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra suggested that marine policing being a specialized job, a Central Marine Police Force be created to protect sea, coast, ports and vital institutions. He also suggested that all landing points and non major ports should be brought under tech based e-surveillance. Both these suggestions were supported by some States and UTs.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that the Centre will seriously consider to create a coastal police as a Central Armed Police Force based on the suggestions received from Coastal States/UTs. It was also decided that for tracking the movement of fishermen to the sea and back, an integrated computerized system/tech based e-surveillance will be implemented with States & UTs and the Central Government will help in that direction.

The Indian Coast Guard and the Coastal States and UTs gave the presentations on the steps being taken by them for ensuring coastal security and their requirements as well as suggestions for strengthening it further.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Lt.General (Rtd) A.K. Singh, Lt. Governor A& N Island, Shri M.O.H.F. Shahjahan, Minister for Revenue, Puducherry, Dr. G. Parmeshwar, Home Minister, Karnataka, Shri. Rajnibhai Patel, MoS(Home), Gujarat, Shri Rajiv Mehrishi, Union Home Secretary, Smt. Naini Jayaseelan, Secretary, ISCS, Shri Susheel Kumar, Secretary (Border Management), MHA, Chief Secretaries of Maharashtra, Goa and A&N, DGPs of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal & Gujarat and other officers from MHA, participating Ministries and States/UTs attended the meeting.

***

KSD/NK/PK/KM

            One man’s passion for racket sports and perseverance brings India recognition. Cdr  Ashutosh Pednekar of Indian Navy made sports history when he became the first Indian to participate and win International tournaments in sport of Racketlon.

 

            At the recently concluded competitions in Denmark and Belgium he made the country proud by clinching Gold medal in both the Men's Amateur and the Veterans    (plus 45) categories at the Nordic Racket Games held at Vejen, Denmark from 28-29 May 2016.  Then at prestigious Super World Tour- King of Rackets tournament held at Oudenaarde Belgium 3-5 June 2016 he once again proved himself by bagging Gold in plus 45 and Silver in Men's amateur category.

 

            Though becoming increasingly popular internationally ‘Racketlon’ is still a relatively young sport in India & hence it’s not surprising that it’s quite unknown in India. The sport is modeled on lines of Decathlon /Triathlon and is combination sport comprising of four racket games namely Table tennis, Badminton, Squash and Lawn tennis. The typical match comprises 4 sets of 21 points each in each of the above individual sports played in succession one after another. Winner is the player winning maximum points.

 

            Cdr Ashutosh Pednekar’s stellar performance and its unique significance to the games has gone unnoticed, view lack of awareness about the game in India and absence of an active formal sports body to promote it.

 

            Never one to court spotlight, the non- assuming naval officer for whom racket sports is second nature, has now set his eyes on winning Gold medals at World Racketlon Championships scheduled later this year in November at Germany.

DKS/AC/GY                                                                                                                     56/16

 

 

 

The Indian Navy’s only Ocean going sailboat, Mhadei, returned to her homeport, Goa, today. A team of six young women officers from the Navy registered a thrilling historic first when they returned to Goa successfully after a voyage to Mauritius. The team on their maiden, and India’s first all-women crew ocean voyage, covered a distance of over five thousand nautical miles through treacherous monsoon seas and heavy winds. The voyage had commenced in Goa on 24 May 16 and reached Port Louis, Mauritius on 14 June 2016. The team has thereafter successfully completed expedition today when they reached INS Mandovi Boat Pool.

The Skipper, Lieutenant Commander (Lt Cdr) Vartika Joshi, and her five-member team comprising Lt B Aishwarya, Lt P Swathi, Lt Pratibha Jamwal, Lt Vijaya and SLt Payal Gupta were received by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command. Present at the occasion were Senior Naval Officers and sailing enthusiasts. In the welcome remarks Vice Admiral Girish Luthra stated that this was a landmark event, wherein the team had undertaken the first ever open voyage by an Indian women crew. He further added that this achievement showcases the courage and commitment of young Indian women, and would provide a fillip to popularise ocean sailing in India.

The all-women crew of Mhadei is presently training to undertake an expedition to circumnavigate the Globe, a feat achieved by lesser number of people than those who managed to climb Mount Everest. The first Indian to solo-circumnavigate the Globe on board Mhadei, Cdr Dilip Donde, has tutored and trained the young all-women crew.

The voyage of over 40 days at sea was aimed at exposing the Skipper and crew to rough seas expected during the monsoon period in the North Indian Ocean. This was to prepare them for the very rough weather expected to be encountered by them in the Southern Ocean during their circumnavigation of the globe. The aim of this training voyage was adequately met and the all-women crew has proved themselves capable and competent at sea. The crew would now supervise essential repairs to the boat at Goa and prepare her for the next voyage, when Mhadei would be participating in the prestigious Cape to Rio race 2017 commencing from Cape Town on 26 Dec 16.

The all-women crew will thereafter shift to the new boat presently under construction at M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Goa. The New boat is of same design as Mhadei and has been named Tarini, after the river boat goddess of Goa. The keel of the boat was laid by the Honourable Raksha Mantri Shri Manohar Parrikar on 28 March 16 at Goa. Tarini is expected to be delivered to the Indian Navy in Feb 2017 prior to India’s first all-women crew embarking on circumnavigation commencing August 2017.

Two solo circumnavigations, the first with stops by Cdr Dilip Donde, and the second, non-stop by Cdr Abhilash Tomy, has been undertaken onboard Mhadei between 2009 and 2013.

*****

RS

The Navy yet again pitched in with timely assistance for an organ transplant emphasizing its commitment to social issues by providing a Naval Dornier for the transportation of medical team for heart harvesting and their subsequent return with the harvested heart.

On 18 Jul 16, the District Collector, Ernakulam, forwarded a request to Headquarters, Southern Naval Command (HQSNC) for transportation of a harvested heart from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi. Accordingly, four doctors of Lisie Hospital and their medical equipment were airlifted by an IN Dornier from INS Garuda to Thiruvananthapuram on 19 Jul 16 at 06:30 am.

The aircraft landed at Thiruvananthapuram Airport at 07:15 am after which the medical team proceeded to Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum. The team of doctors harvested the heart of a brain dead boy and reached Thiruvananthapuram airport at 12:15 pm.

The medical team along with the harvested heart returned to INS Garuda, Kochi at 01:00 pm by the same IN Dornier. The medical team along with the harvested heart returned to Lisie Hospital for the heart transplant, by their ambulance which was positioned at INS Garuda.

The aircraft was flown by the following aircrew of INS Garuda:-

(a) Cdr Sreekrishnan (04510-Z) - Captain of Aircraft.

(b) Lt Cdr Nilesh Tanksalkar (06003-T) - Co-Pilot.

(c) Lt Cdr Tittu M Joseph (05990-N) - Tactical Operator

The operation required coordination at various levels which included approval from higher authorities and role change of aircraft from “military” to “civil aid” which was carried out expeditiously.

Koc/52/Jul 16

The Minister of Shipping and Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has called for massive skill development in the maritime sector. Addressing the 129th meeting of the National Shipping Board (NSB) in New Delhi today, Shri Gadkari said that necessary policy level and administrative reforms must be effected urgently so that training institutions are able to run skill development and training modules for a wide ranging variety of disciplines. He said that employment generation is a major priority with the present government and many jobs will open up in the shipping and allied sectors in the coming years. The prestigious Sagarmala Programme itself is expected to throw up about one crore jobs. In addition, he said, the twelve major ports are being modernized and mechanized, three new ports are coming up soon, 111 inland waterways are being developed across the country and coastal shipping is also poised for major growth. All this will open up many employment avenues, so we need to train our youth so that they can take advantage of the job opportunites.

Shri Gadkari also said that we need to expand the scope and content of training modules so that Indian seafarers can be trained for multi-tasking and be the preferred choice for sea faring companies. According to a presentation made during the meeting, India ranks very poorly in terms of the number of seafarers it supplies to sea faring companies. One reason for this is that the Indian seafarers are not trained for multi-tasking.

Speaking about the need to promote ease of doing business the Minister called upon members of the National Shipping Board to study best practices from across the world in the maritime sector, look at successful experiments and administrative reforms, be in constant dialogue with stakeholders and then come out with recommendations for an integrated development of the maritime sector. He urged them to suggest ways to improve policies, remove obstacles and bring about administrative changes through cost effective and eco friendly means. He urged all concerned to work with a positive, proactive and pro-reforms approach to develop the sector.

Shri Gadkari also released the logo of the National Shipping Board.

The National Shipping Board is the highest advisory body on matters related to Indian Shipping and matters arising out of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The Board was established on 1st March 1959. Opening the deliberations today the Board Chairman Shri Vishwapati Tripathi informed that over the past two years NSB has made several recommendation for revamping the maritime sector, and many of these recommendations have also been implemented. Today’s meeting was also attended by Dr K Hariprabhu and Shri C.M. Ramesh, both Members of Parliament and Members of NSB. Shri Alok Srivastava, Addl Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Representatives of DG Shipping, DG, Naval Operations, DG, Indian Coast Guard and stakeholders comprising of ship owners, seafarers union as well as representatives of Indian Navy, Coast Guard and maritime experts attended the meeting and deliberated over issues like enhancing skills of seafarers in maritime sector, ease of doing business in the maritime industry and promotion of public private partnership in the maritime sector.

NP

 

The Aircraft Carrier, INS Viraat set sail for Kochi this afternoon for Essential Repairs and Dry Docking (ERDD) at the Cochin Shipyard. This is the last sailing under her own propulsion as INS Viraat is slated for decommissioning later this year. Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command and other senior officers of the command, visited the ship and interacted with the crew prior to her departure. The carrier was escorted out of harbour by Fast Interceptor Craft and helicopters from the Western Naval Command. It was indeed an emotional moment for the Navy, as INS Viraat leaves Naval Dockyard Mumbai, for ‘one last time’ under own power. The ship will be towed back to Mumbai on completion of ERDD, for the decommissioning ceremony later this year.

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INS Viraat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 12 May 1987. The ship operated Sea Harrier (White Tigers - fighter air crafts), Seaking 42B (Harpoons - Anti Submarine helicopters) & Seaking 42C (Commando Carrier helicopters) and Chetak (Angles - SAR helicopter) as her main air elements. The Sea Harrier fleet was also recently decommissioned at Goa in May 16.

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Under the Indian Flag, various aircrafts have flown more than 22,034 hours from the decks of INS Viraat. She has spent nearly 2,250 days at sea sailing 5,88,288 NM (10, 94,215 KM). This implies that Viraat has been at sea for over six years covering the entire globe about 27 times. She played a major role in the Operation Jupiter in 1989 (Indian Peace Keeping operations in Sri Lanka) and Operation Vijay in the year 1999 (Kargil War). The ship has also participated in various international joint exercises like Malabar (with US Navy), Varuna (with French Navy), Naseem-Al-Bahar (with Oman Navy) and has been an integral element of all major naval exercises. The last operational deployment of the ship was for participation in International Fleet Review (IFR-2016) at Visakhapatnam. Having served the country and the Navy for nearly three decades, INS Viraat handed over the mantle of carrier operations to INS Vikramaditya which was commissioned in the year 2013.

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The second aircraft carrier of the country has spent 29 years under the Indian Flag and 27 years with the Royal Navy (United Kingdom). The ship holds the Guinness Record for being the oldest serving warship. INS Viraat is a Centaur-Class Aircraft Carrier and served in the Royal Navy as HMS Hermes, which was the flag ship of Royal Navy during the Falk Lands Campaign of 1982. She is commonly referred to as the ‘Grand Old Lady’ among the Naval community. <br><br>

 

 

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RS/SDR/NV

 

          Search operation for the missing AN-32 aircraft of IAF continues uninterrupted for the third consecutive day.  A total of 12 IN ships and 04 ICG ships along with 17 aircraft from Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard have been mobilized towards this operation.

 

The weather improved marginally today thereby aiding deployment of additional assets and thereby aiding intensification of the search in a larger area (Map Enclosed). The sea state however continues to be rough thus making the conditions challenging.

 

The family members of all personnel on board were reached out to by their respective Services and were assured that at this hour of uncertainty they are not alone and the government has mobilized all possible assets in one of the largest operation of its kind.

 

Various other Government agencies have also been requested to provide satellite imagery of the area to aid the operations which will continue till further review of the situation.

 

 

NDW/AB

Following is the statement of Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha PVSM AVSM VM ADC Chief of the Air Staff on AN-32 aircraft of Indian Air Force which went missing over the Bay of Bengal :-

“An AN-32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force was on a scheduled courier sortie from Tambaram, Chennai to Port Blair. The aircraft had departed Tambaram at 0830 AM on 22 July 2016 with 6 crew and 23 personnel.

Radar contact with the aircraft was lost when the aircraft was east of Chennai at an approximate distance of 270 km. Since then there has been no contact with the aircraft.

Extensive operations have been launched to search for the missing aircraft and personnel. Several aircraft with surveillance equipment of the IAF, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard have been flying in the area. A large number of ships of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, some with helicopters on board have also joined the search.

It is very unfortunate that we have not been able to trace the missing aircraft and the personnel on board. It is a very difficult moment for all of us and we share the concerns of the distraught family members. IAF authorities are in constant touch with the family members of the missing personnel and they are being regularly updated about the efforts being made to trace the missing aircraft and personnel.

AN-32 transport aircraft was inducted into the IAF between 1984-1991. In the last three decades of its operations we have exploited the capabilities of this aircraft as the workhorse of the IAF. Because of its excellent operational performance, AN-32 has been landing at Daulat Beg Oldie, which is the highest landing ground in the world. Needless to say that capable aircrew are chosen to fly these aircraft.

Events like these are painful reminders of the inherent risks which our brave personnel face in the execution of our daily missions. A thorough enquiry will be conducted to ascertain exactly what led to this unfortunate event. The IAF remains committed to provide the best possible equipment and training to our personnel so that they can execute their assigned missions professionally.

Our prayers and thoughts are there with the missing personnel and their families and no effort will be spared to locate them.”

AB/BIS