Indian Navy’s hydrographic survey ship Sandhayak was decommissioned at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam on Friday after serving the nation for almost four decades.
The ship undertook about 200 major hydrographic surveys and many minor surveys in both east and west coasts of the country, the Andaman seas as well as in the neighbouring countries, in its 40 years of service.
“The ship was decommissioned in a solemn and low-key event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic when the national flag, naval ensign, and the decommissioning pennant were lowered at sunset time in the presence of Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, the Chief Guest for the ceremony,” the Indian Navy’s statement said.
The ceremony was also attended by Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar, Chief Hydrographer to the government of India, and by serving hydrographers, outstation ex-crew members, and veterans virtually through live streaming.
The ship was also an active participant in many significant operations such as Operation Pawan and Operation Rainbow. Sandhayak also participated in the maiden INDO-UD HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) exercise ‘Tiger-Triumph’ in 2019.
