Indian Navy's Sailing Vessel Embarks on Historic Voyage to Andamans

Indian Navy's Sailing Vessel Embarks on Historic Voyage to Andamans\n\nThe Indian Navy's ocean-going sailing vessel, INSV Neelkanth, has set sail on a historic voyage to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The 661.2 nautical miles journey from Visakhapatnam to Sri Vijaya Puram is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Command's (ANC) Silver Jubilee celebrations.\n\nVice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief of the ANC, interacted with the crew of INSV Neelkanth at Visakhapatnam ahead of the voyage. The interaction focused on key lessons for the voyage and inspiring the future of sailing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.\n\nINSV Neelkanth is a seasoned sailing yacht, having won several expeditions and races, including the Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race in 2023. The vessel is one of six ocean-going sailing vessels used by the Navy for expeditions and training.\n\nIn 2023, INSV Neelkanth won first place in the Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race by covering 360 nautical miles from Kochi to Goa. The crew encountered heavy rain and sea states of up to 04, along with speeds gusting over 25 knots for two days.\n\nIn 2024, the sailing vessel undertook a 100-nautical-mile expedition in 24 hours to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Navy's submarine training school INS Satavahana. Earlier, in 2021, it sailed from Chennai to Visakhapatnam to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Navy's submarine base INS Virbahu.\n\nWhile these expeditions were along the Indian coastline, the voyage to the Andamans will be through open seas. The crew may experience rough weather when approaching the Andaman Sea, with the possibility of a low-pressure system developing over the area.\n\nSouthwest winds of 20-25 knots may blow over the South Andaman Sea, and the sea state may be rough, with poor visibility. However, the crew is extremely well-trained, and the vessel is capable of handling all weather conditions.\n\nThe Andaman and Nicobar Command is India's first and only tri-services Command, established on October 1, 2001. The Command, comprising the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard, was created to defend the strategic Andaman and Nicobar Islands.\n\nIn addition to regular surveillance along India's Exclusive Economic Zone around the archipelago for defence purposes, the ANC also protects the region's fragile ecosystem. It is also tasked with Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) operations in one of the world's busiest maritime zones.\n\nThe ANC has planned a series of activities for its Silver Jubilee celebrations, some of which, involving island residents, have already begun. The historic voyage of INSV Neelkanth is a significant milestone in the celebrations, showcasing the Navy's capabilities and commitment to the region.