Visakhapatnam: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri won the best ship trophy for 2016 among the ships of Indian Navy’s eastern fleet.
The Fleet Awards Function, commemorating accomplishments of the ‘Sword Arm’ of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) over the past one year, was held on the naval premises. INS Kuthar was adjudged the ‘Most Spirited Ship’. A total of 19 trophies, representing varied disciplines of maritime operations, were awarded to meritorious ships.
The event was conducted to recognise overall excellence and valuable contribution of individual ships and the gallant men, who have maintained constant vigil in service to the nation. During the year gone by, the Eastern Fleet was deployed for numerous operations with a footprint ranging over the entire Indian Ocean Region, Western Pacific and South China Sea.
The Eastern Fleet also conducted major multi-lateral and bi-lateral exercises with foreign navies. ENC commander-in-chief vice admiral HCS Bisht, was the chief guest at the event hosted by Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral S.V. Bhokare.
The evening saw a kaleidoscope of activities and highlighted the achievements of the Eastern Fleet last year. Year 2016 is a milestone year in the naval history of Visakhapatnam, as the Eastern Naval Command and the City of Destiny played host to the first International Fleet Review (IFR) conducted on the eastern seaboard.
The city’s coast-line/beaches were packed to capacity, as the sea and skies off Vizag were set ablaze with a flurry of operational demonstration. The skyline off city was doted with 97 ships and 45 aircrafts during Static Review. The Eastern Fleet had been in the forefront of all events that happened during IFR-16.
