In a first, Indian Navy Chief presents "on-the-spot honour" for ship; Know why INS Nireekshak won it

Kochi, Feb 21: For the first time, an Indian Navy ship was awarded an on-the-spot honour by the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). Notably, ships and Navy personnel are awarded on events of national importance, such as Independence Day, Republic Day and Navy Day.

 

INS Nireekshak, Dive Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of Indian Navy, awarded 'on the spot' Unit Citation to the ship, a first in Indian Navy.

 

This came after the Chief of the Naval Staff Adm R Harikumar visited INS Nireekshak at Kochi on February 20 and and interacted with the diving team of the ship. The team has been involved in salvage operations at a depth of 219 metres in the Arabian Sea.

 

 

Navy chief commended the ship on the safe and successful conduct of the operations under most challenging circumstances. It is pertinent to mention that this is the deepest salvage carried out in the country's waters.

 

During his address to the ship's crew, the CNS complimented the dedicated effort of the ship in conducting the deep diving operations. He exhorted the undaunted spirit of the ‘Men Behind the Machine’. He also awarded commendations to the crew involved in the salvage ops.

 

INS Nireekshak had also recently completed a solemn dive off Gujarat coast to pay homage by laying wreath at 80 m depth, the resting site of erstwhile Khukri which sank during 1971 war. Built by Mazgaon Shipbuilders in 1985, the ship has been in service with the Navy since 1989 and was commissioned in the year 1995. INS Nireekshak has been part of various diving operations and holds the record for the deepest dive carried out in the country to a depth of 257 m.