Navy curbs piracy

Kochi: The Indian Navy along with other navies has successfully checked the threats posed by Somaili pirates to merchant ships in the Indian Ocean. Speaking to reporters in Kochi on Wednesday Flag Officer Commanding Chief, Southern Naval Command Vice-Admiral  Sunil Lanba said no incidents of piracy was reported from the region in the past two years. The Southern Naval Command has also undertook a commendable job in evacuating around 3,000 persons trapped in war-torn Yemen early this year, Lamba said. Out of this 1,783 persons were from India while the rest belongs to 25 countries including US and Europe, he added.     

 

The attempt by pirates to shift the operational base close to the Indian Coastline was also defeated successfully, he said. The operations of the Indian Navy have helped to revise the ‘high risk area’ in the Indian coast has helped in bringing down the insurance premium for merchant ships. The insurance companies charges a higher premium for merchant ships operating in high risk areas, he pointed out.

 

The Southern Naval Command has also increased the vigil for coastal security with the support other agencies and local community, Lamba said. The completion of registration of fishing vessels operating in the coast and bio-metric data base of fishermen are remaining concerns of the coastal security, he said.

 

On unhappiness of the defence forces on the recommendations of seventh pay commission, Lanba said the matter will be handled by defence headquarters and defence ministry. 

 

Tarangini to return to kochi

INS Tarangini, the sail training ship of Indian Navy, will return to Kochi on Thursday after an eight month voyage covering 17,000 miles. 

 

The last segment of the voyage covering Oman to Kochi will also retrace the ancient spice route that existed between Kerala and the Oman Coast, Flag Officer Commanding Chief of Southern Naval Command, Sunil Lamba said. 

 

INS Tarangini will be accompanied by Shabab Al Oman, the newly acquired sail training ship of Oman Navy during its sail to Kochi from Muscat. The ship is manned by six officers, 40 sailors and 30 trainees.

 

Navy’s International fleet review in Vizag

The week-long International Fleet Review of the Indian Navy to be held in Vishakapatanam from February 4 is set to witness participation of 90 ships from 46 countries. Eight ships from Southern Naval Co-mmand will be attending the IFR, taking place after a gap of more than decade in the country. 

 

The last IFR was held in Mumbai in 2001, said Flag Officer Com-manding Chief of Southern Naval Command, Sunil Lanba.