Three New Support Vessels Join ENC
VISAKHAPATNAM:The second batch of three Immediate Support Vessels (ISVs), comprising T-38, T-39 and T-40, were commissioned by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Satish Soni at an impressive ceremony at the Naval Dockyard Tuesday. The three ISVs are in addition to the first batch of ISVs commissioned last year and will constitute the 84th Immediate Support Vessel Squadron based at Visakhapatnam.
The ISVs are armed with heavy machine guns (HMGs) and are equipped with state-of-the-art radar and navigation equipment. They are fitted with two caterpillar engines of 1,600 MHP each to provide water jet propulsion which provides the vessels a high speed of 40 knots and an endurance of 500 nautical miles. These ships are capable of carrying out day and night surveillance and can be used for rapid insertions/extraction of MARCOS for military intervention. The induction and deployment of these ships will augment the ongoing efforts to bolster coastal security and provide protection to our offshore assets from asymmetric threats. Two ISVs have been built by Rodman Spain whereas one ISV was built by Abu Dhabi Ship Builders (ADSB). The project was a joint collaboration between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited, Ship Builders and the Indian Navy. Commanding Officers of T-38, T-39 and T-40 Lieutenants Jai Kishore, Shobhit Saxena and Vaibhav Bhardwaj respectively read out the commissioning warrants.
Hoisting the Naval Ensign onboard for the first time and Breaking of the Commissioning Pennant with the National Anthem in the background marked the completion of the commissioning ceremony.
On the occasion, Vice Admiral Satish Soni said that the ISVs were brought to Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, where delivery acceptance trials were carried out. The ships have sailed 1,200 nautical miles from Mumbai to Visakhapatnam in over 12 days before getting commissioned and have proved their sturdiness as they successfully crossed the Gulf of Mannar facing strong winds and high seas.