Navy bids 'adieu' to survey aircraft INS Mithun

Chennai, Mar 31: After clocking 1,11,442 hours underway covering 72,390 nautical miles in its operational career spanning 23 years, 'INS Mithun', the second of the Makar class of survey craft of the Indian Navy, was decommissioned here last evening.

The ship contributed immensely to safeguarding the country's territorial waters in the region.

It also took part in the tsunami-relief operations in December 2004 and was deployed off Kalpakkam as well as Mahabalipuram.

The decommissioning ceremony was held as per the Naval tradition.

With the sounding of the Last Post at sunset, the ''paying off pennant'' along with the Naval ensign was lowered for the last time.

A box containing the naval ensign was handed over by Sandeep Bali, Commanding officer, to the chief guest, P E VanHaltren, Naval Officer-in-charge, Tamil Nadu.

Senior Naval officers, ex-commanding officers and senior coast-guard officers participated in the solemn farewell to the ship at the West Quay berth at Chennai Port.

Built at the Goa Shipyard Limited, INS Mithun was commissioned into the Indian Navy on March 31, 1984.

It was originally designed for carrying out survey activities and was initially based at Kochi. It became a patrol vessel since October 1993 and was shifted to Chennai. Since then, it was deployed in Palk Bay and its surrounding areas.

UNI