Vice Admiral Byce flags off Army sea expedition to Kavratti Islands

Mumbai, Dec 6 (UNI) Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Byce, Flag Officer, Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Fleet, today flagged off an Army sea expedition team from the Naval Sailing Club here.

The 20 officers and sailors, including a lady officer of the 'Corps of Engineers' in three teams, will undergo the 38-day sea expedition to reach 'Kavaratti Islands' located in the South of India.

The Corps of Engineering is a branch of the 'Corps of Military Engineering'(CME) of the Indian Army and is considered a coveted institution within the force.

On the occasion, Admiral Byce, while congratulating the Army's Core of Military Engineering(CME) department for launching the expedition, said it is important for a maritime country like India to give more impetus to water sports and particularly sailing, as it inculcates team spirit, camaraderie, patience and good coordination.

He said the Navy plans to open a 'Centre of Excellence' in Mumbai, which will facilitate the Army and Navy to hold joint sea expeditions and other sea activities to bolster water sports among people. In addition, the Navy will also build a 'Marina' to tie up unused boats and vessels, Admiral Byce added.

He pinpointed that the Indian Navy won the gold medal in the recently concluded 'World Military Sailing' championship through a sheer combination of discipline, determination, perseverance and hardwork. Hence, it was important to change the mind-set to achieve a particular goal, said Admiral Byce.

The Corps of Engineers were the pioneers in introducing sailing both as a sport and as an adventure activity in the country. The largest expedition carried by the corps was in 1986-87, when it undertook a solo world expedition on 'Yacht Trishna'.

The current expedition to Kavaratti Islands is being undertaken by three vessels, yacht Trishna and two sea-birds. Trishna, on its voyage, will directly halt at Kavaratti Islands without stopping anywhere. On its way back, it will dock at Karwar port.

The two sea birds, on their way to Kavaratti, will dock at Goa and Cochin. On their way back to Mumbai, they will sail through Mangalore port.

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