New Delhi: The Indian Navy quickly responded to a distress call from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena after the vessel was hit by a United States torpedo off the coast of Galle on March 4. Acting swiftly, India deployed a long range maritime patrol aircraft and two naval ships to assist in the search and rescue operation coordinated by Sri Lanka.
The two vessels involved in the operation were INS Tarangini and INS Ikshak. Tarangini, which was already operating in waters near the incident site, reached the designated search area by 1600 hours on the same day. Ikshak departed from Kochi soon after and continues to remain in the region as efforts to locate missing personnel continue.
INS Tarangini is a three masted sailing barque commissioned in 1997. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited in Vasco da Gama, the vessel measures about 54 metres in length and carries an extensive arrangement of sails. It serves primarily as a training ship for naval cadets, offering hands on experience in traditional seamanship. Cadets aboard the ship learn essential maritime skills such as sail handling, wind based navigation, celestial navigation and endurance sailing. These practices remain an important part of naval training because they help develop discipline, resilience and a deeper understanding of the sea.
The ship operates under the Indian Naval Academy and regularly undertakes long voyages lasting several months. Over the years, Tarangini has participated in international sail training expeditions, tall ship races and goodwill visits to ports across the world, representing India and strengthening maritime ties.
INS Ikshak, commissioned in the early 1990s, belongs to the Ikshak class of hydrographic survey ships built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata. The vessel is designed to carry out detailed hydrographic surveys in coastal and deep water regions. Its work involves mapping the seabed, identifying underwater hazards and studying tides, currents and coastal features.
The information collected by Ikshak is used to prepare and update nautical charts issued by India’s National Hydrographic Office, which are essential for safe navigation by both naval and commercial vessels. The ship is equipped with advanced survey systems including multi beam echo sounders, side scan sonar and oceanographic sensors, enabling it to operate effectively in complex marine environments.
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