Navy commissions ''INS Sudarshini'' in its fleet

Panaji, Jan 25 (PTI) Indian Navy today commissioned asecond sail training ship - INS Sudarshini - in its fleet ata ceremony held at the port town of Vasco, about 40 kms awayfrom here.

The ship has been constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited(GSL).

Sail training ships are increasingly being used as basicseamanship and character building platforms by Navies acrossthe world, a GSL spokesperson said.

"Built for worldwide operations, ''INS Sudarshini'' issteel hulled, round bilged, three masted sailing ship, squarerigged on the forward and main mast and fore and aft rigged onthe mizzen mast with 18 sails having a sail area ofapproximately 1035 square metres," the spokesperson said.

With a very high endurance, ''INS Sudarshini'' can bedeployed at the sea continuously for a period of 20 days.

It can accommodate 61 persons and be under sail orpropulsion power or a combination of both.

Vice Admiral K N Sushil, Rear Admiral Prem Kumar Nair,Assistant Controller Warship Production and Acquisition, RearAdmiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area,Vineet Bakhshi were among the dignitaries present on theoccasion.