Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 06: As a tribute to 25 glorious years of the Andaman and Nicobar Command – India’s first and only Joint Services Operational Command – Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Neelkanth was given a grand maritime reception at Sri Vijaya Puram on 6th Oct 26, on completion of a challenging 700 nm ocean passage from Visakhapatnam.
The voyage, which commenced on 29 Sep 2026, is a celebration of the Silver Jubilee of ANC and embodies its core ethos – Jointmanship, Synergy and Sentinel of the Eastern Seaboard. From sunrise to sunset, for 25 years, ANC has stood as the guardian of India’s maritime frontiers in the Indian Ocean Region.
Sailing remains the purest form of seamanship. It instills in a mariner the quintessential qualities of courage, endurance, situational awareness and respect for the elements – skills that are indispensable for a sea warrior. This expedition of INSV Neelkanth reaffirms the Navy’s commitment to harnessing the spirit of adventure to hone professional seamanship.
The arrival off Flag Point was marked by a magnificent ‘ Flag in Ceremony’, personally led by Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, AVSM, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN), who took to sea onboard a J-24 sail boat. Leading from the helm, CINCAN led a vibrant fleet comprising three Laser class, five Optimist class sail boats and multiple powered craft of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard – a true display of jointmanship on water.
Adding grandeur, a two-column formation of six Indian Navy ships and two Indian Coast Guard ships formed a ceremonial honour corridor to escort Neelkanth into harbour.
The event culminated with CINCAN formally flagging-in INSV Neelkanth at Marina Bay. He thereafter embarked the vessel and commended the crew for their exceptional navigation, grit and spirit of yachting, having sailed across the vast Bay of Bengal to bring the message of ANC’s Silver Jubilee – Together We Sail, Together We Conquer.
