Coast Guard ship decommissioned after 20 years of service

An Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) was decommissioned today after 20 years of service.

ICGS Bhikhaiji Cama was decommissioned in a traditional ceremony held at Chennai Port, a Defence release here said.

The ceremony was presided over by Inspector General Rajan Bargotra, Commander Coast Guard Region East.

During the ceremony, an impressive Guard of Honour was paraded and with the setting of the sun, the Coast Guard Ensign was hauled down on the ship for the last time, it said.

Soon after, the 'Decommissioning Pennant,' which is equal to the ship's length was lowered, it said, adding, Commandant J G Varun Upadhya, the Commanding Officer of the ship, supervised the final ceremony.

ICGS Bhikhaiji Cama, the fourth ship in the Priyadarshini class of Fast Patrol Vessels of Indian Coast Guard, has served the nation for more than 20 years.

During her lifespan, ICGS Bhikhaiji Cama sailed for 2586 days at sea and had covered a total distance of 2,46,937 nautical miles, it said.

She participated in various missions and saved 85 valuable lives in eight search and rescue operations, apprehended 10 foreign fishing vessels and 131 crew responsible for poaching in Indian EEZ and evacuated 137 personnel during Tsunami relief operations, the release said.