IMF Trip to Goa – Karwar - Ganapatipule

1 IMF Trip to Goa – Karwar - Ganapatipule By Capt AC Dixit In November 2011 IMF Council members led by the IMF President commodore Rajan Vir undertook a road trip to Goa and Karwar, stopping at Ganapatipule on the way back. The team that embarked on this voyage of discovery included Mrs Gita Vir, Mrs Nalini Kunte, Mrs Shobhana Mirchandani, Commodore Vijay and Sujata Sarwate, Cdr Mukund and Bharati Lele, Capt Anand and Mangala Dixit and Cdr Ulhas Gupte. The trip co-ordinator was Cmde Vijay Sarwate who made the necessary arrangements for our stay at the naval establishments and visits to various facilities within the establishments at Karwar and Goa by liaising with his counterparts, Cdr Tanksale at Goa and Cdr Huda at Karwar. Day 1. We departed Pune on the 22nd November 2011 at 0700 and after a brief halt at Belgaum proceeded directly to Goa (about 530 km) arriving there around 1900 hrs. We were accommodated in the well-appointed, comfortable VVIP suites at INS Gomantak and INS Hansa which certainly helped to relieve the fatigue of the long journey. Day 2. After a good night’s rest we got down to business starting with a visit to the National Institute of Oceanograhy (NIO). At the NIO we were received by Ms Sharon Gomes and later briefed by the Director Dr MP Tapaswi and Dr Sanjeev Afzalpurkar who gave an excellent presentation about the activities of NIO. Of particular interest to us was the vast potential of our EEZ as explained by Dr Afzalpurkar and the remotely operated U/W vehicle Maya developed by NIO. Day 3 was the most hectic day of our tour. In the morning we visited the National Centre for Antarctic and & Ocean Research (NCAOR). Our host was Dr John Kurien who told us about the research activities of NCAOR with special reference to the Antarctic expeditions. Later we were taken to the Ice Core Laboratory with cold rooms of the temperatures -10˚C, -15C˚ and -20˚C respectively where ice core samples from the Antractic are stored. Some of us ventured into -10˚C and -15˚ C but better sense stopped us from going into -20˚C. We left the NCAOR full of admiration for the dedicated scientists who endure the harsh conditions of the Antarctic stations doing a thankless job few Indians know about. The NIO and NCAOR were invited by Commodore Vir to participate in the seminar on Under Water Technology which IMF is planning next year. Our next stop was the National Institute of Hydrography in INS Gomantak. Here we had the opportunity to meet naval hydrographers and learn the about the new developments in the field of hydrography. Later in the day was the eagerly awaited visit to INS Hansa, the Naval Air Station. Our host here was Capt Janak Bevli who took it upon himself to personally escort us around the air station. After a briefing at ADR (Air Directions Room) we moved to the Sea Harrier Simulator where we observed the simulated take off and landing of a Sea Harrier. Next was a visit to the 300 Sqn 2 Museum where photographs and other memorabilia dating back from Seahawks days are on display. At the 300 Sqn Museum In the hangar with a MiG 29K We narrowly missed witnessing the take off of a MiG 29K but were able to see the aircraft after landing as it taxied back to the base. We were also able to inspect the MiG 29K squadron at close quarters in the hangars and LRMP IL-38 on the tarmac. Our visit to INS Hansa was every bit as exciting as we had anticipated and for this we were truly thankful to Capt Bevli and his team of young pilots who spared no effort to make it so. At the National Institute of Oceanography 3 The MiG 29K has just landed In the evening we were invited for cocktails and dinner hosted by Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area. We were entertained on the beautiful lawns of the Naval House overlooking the Mandovi River. Pleasant ambience, soothing music played by the naval band, delicious food and the gracious hospitality of Admiral and Mrs Pillai made it a perfect evening to finish our stay in Goa. It must be mentioned here that the success of our trip to Goa was entirely due to the arrangements made by Admiral Pillai which not only ensured a comfortable stay but included carefully planned visits to various establishments in Goa area. Day 4 : Good bye to Goa and off to Karwar (105 km). We arrived at Karwar just in time for lunch and checked into the accommodation of Naval Officers Mess. INS Kadamba the naval base, is part of the Project Sea Bird. It is probably unlike any other base in the country with possible exception of Andamans. Its sheer size (11,200 acres of land along a 26-km stretch of sea front) , the thick forest cover, pristine white sand beach (where swimming is not allowed!) and presence of wild life such as leopards, wild boars and snakes all go to make it a unique place. Cdr Najmul Huda was our host at Karwar and he ensured our comfortable stay at the base. Commodore Rajan Vir and Commodore Vijay Sarwate made a courtesy call on Rear Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding Karwar Naval Area. 4 We visited the phase I of the Sea Bird project which is now complete and fully operational. The main point of interest here is the ship lifting facility which makes it possible for a ship to be lifted from water and transported laterally on land. Ship Lift facility at Karwar Aerial View of the Karwar Naval Base This allows several ships to undergo dry dock repairs and maintenance simultaneously without occupying a dry dock. The capacity of the lift is 10,000 tons which means it can handle any ship of the Indian Navy except the aircraft carrier. While in the repair yard we got a pleasant surprise when we saw the sailing yacht Mhadei on the blocks. This was the boat in which Commander Dilip Donde made his solo circumnavigation, which is also the theme for IMF’s anniversary lecture to be held on 18th December 2011. We also met and chatted with Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy who is preparing for Indian Navy’s next venture – NON-STOP Solo circumnavigation. 5 After this we set off on the tour of the base escorted by Lt Cdr Lionel Manley who entertained us with information, stories and anecdotes about the Sea Bird project with great enthusiasm. Last item of the day’s programme was a presentation by Cdr Sockey about the Sea Bird project and Q & A session, both very competently handled by Cdr Sockey. We celebrated Sujata’s birthday and Nalini’s wedding anniversary during the trip In Goa do as the Goans do! 6 Karwar - a moment of relaxation after a hectic day 7 Day 5. Departure Karwar and road journey to Ganapatipule (203 km). We checked into MTDC resort, visited the Ganapati temple, walked on the beach and had a relaxed evening. End of the trip. Adieu at Bhau da Dhaba. Day 6. Departure Ganapatipule at 0900 and return journey to Pune (314 km). It was an uneventful journey and we returned safely to Pune about 1800 hrs. End of the trip. We covered a distance of 1555 kms in 6 days which would seem quite arduous. What did we gain from this trip? It was a great learning experience. We saw new technology at work, met some interesting, very dedicated people in various fields, saw some new places and in general enjoyed ourselves. Are we planning another trip in the near future? Most probably, but we will keep that under wraps for now. Capt AC Dixit is the Associate Editor of the Sea Gull. .

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