Port Blair, Apr 29: Indian Navy Landing Craft Utility (LCU) ships LCU-33 and LCU-35 were decommissioned yesterday in an impressive Ceremony presided over by Vice Admiral Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Commander-in-chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command. These ships were among the first ones to be indigenously built in India. LCU 33 and LCU 35 are being decommissioned out of the Navy after glorious service of over three decades. These ships have served continuously at Port Blair since their induction into Indian Navy. Both LCU 33 and LCU 35, had played a pivotal role in the rescue/relief operations in the aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami. LCU 33 was also deployed in Sri Lanka for relief operation wherein she had received citation from the Sri Lankan president for the excellent work done there. In the aftermath of cyclone Lehar these ships were the first to be put to sea to evacuate over 450 stranded tourists from Havelock and Neil. The decommissioning ceremony was attended by many former Commanding Officers of both the ships. In a touching tribute to the ships; the Naval Component Commander Commodore Deepak Kumar said “Old ships never die, they just fade away to be reborn again”.
