INSV Neelkanth sails 661 nautical miles from Visakhapatnam to Andamans for ANC Silver Jubilee
Synopsis
INSV Neelkanth has left Visakhapatnam on its longest and most demanding voyage yet — 661.2 nautical miles of open sea to Sri Vijaya Puram — with a joint ENC-ANC crew that includes two women Agniveers. The mission marks 25 years of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, India's only tri-services command, and signals the Navy's push to deepen its blue-water sailing culture.
Key Takeaways
INSV Neelkanth has set sail from Visakhapatnam to Sri Vijaya Puram on a 661.2 nautical mile open-sea expedition.
The voyage marks the Silver Jubilee of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) , established on 1 October 2001 .
The crew is jointly drawn from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and ANC , including two women Agniveers .
Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty , CINCAN, briefed the crew on 19 September ahead of departure.
Unlike past coastal voyages, this expedition crosses open seas through the Bay of Bengal .
INSV Neelkanth is a nearly 40-foot ocean-racing yacht and one of six sailing vessels used by the Indian Navy for expeditions and training.
INSV Neelkanth, an ocean-going sailing vessel of the Indian Navy, has set sail from Visakhapatnam to Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) on a 661.2 nautical mile voyage through the open waters of the Bay of Bengal. The expedition forms part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), India's first and only tri-services command, which completed 25 years on 1 October 2026.
The Crew and Mission
The INSV Neelkanth is being jointly crewed by personnel from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and ANC, including two women Agniveers — marking a notable milestone for women's participation in high-seas naval expeditions. Officials described the voyage as a reflection of 'the courage, teamwork and evolving spirit of the Indian armed forces.'
On 19 September, Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, Commander-in-Chief of the ANC (CINCAN), met the crew ahead of the departure. According to the ANC, the interaction 'focused on key lessons for the voyage and inspiring the future of sailing in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.'
About INSV Neelkanth
The INSV Neelkanth is a nearly 40-foot ocean-racing sailing yacht and is one of six ocean-going sailing vessels used by the Navy for expeditions and training. Its fleet companions include INSV Mhadei, INSV Tarini, INSV Bulbul, INSV Hariyali, and INSV Kadalpura.
The vessel has a strong record of endurance. In 2023, it won first place in the Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race, covering 360 nautical miles from Kochi to Goa through challenging conditions — heavy rain, sea states of up to four, and gusts exceeding 25 knots for two days. In 2024, it completed a 100 nautical mile expedition in 24 hours to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Navy's submarine training school INS Satavahana. Earlier, in 2021, it sailed from Chennai to Visakhapatnam to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of submarine base INS Virbahu.
Open Seas — A Significant Leap
Unlike previous voyages, which largely followed the Indian coastline, this expedition traverses open seas — a considerably more demanding and strategically significant undertaking. Officials noted there is no forecast of adverse weather in the Bay of Bengal in the near future. 'The crew is extremely well-trained and the vessel capable of handling all weather conditions. In fact, it will be a very good experience for those participating in the expedition,' an official said.
About the Andaman and Nicobar Command
Established on 1 October 2001, the ANC comprises the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and the Indian Coast Guard. Beyond defence, the Command is responsible for surveillance along India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), protection of the fragile island ecosystem, and Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) operations in one of the world's busiest maritime zones. The Silver Jubilee series of activities has been specifically designed to involve the local population of the archipelago.
As the INSV Neelkanth charts its course across the Bay of Bengal, the voyage stands as both an operational exercise and a symbol of the ANC's expanding maritime ambitions at the doorstep of a strategically vital region.
Point of View
A meaningful operational escalation. The inclusion of two women Agniveers also reflects the Navy's gradual integration of short-service recruits into demanding field roles, a process still under scrutiny for long-term career pathways. The ANC's Silver Jubilee comes at a moment of heightened strategic focus on the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific, making the symbolism of a sail to the archipelago's capital hard to miss. Whether these anniversary activities translate into sustained public and political attention for the Command's resource requirements is the longer question.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the INSV Neelkanth and where is it sailing?
INSV Neelkanth is a nearly 40-foot ocean-racing sailing yacht of the Indian Navy. It has set sail from Visakhapatnam to Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) on a 661.2 nautical mile open-sea voyage through the Bay of Bengal as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
Why is the ANC celebrating a Silver Jubilee in 2026?
The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) was established on 1 October 2001, making 2026 its 25th anniversary. It is India's first and only tri-services command, comprising the Indian Navy, Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard, created to defend the strategically vital Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Who is crewing the INSV Neelkanth on this voyage?
The vessel is being jointly crewed by personnel from the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) and the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC). Notably, the crew includes two women Agniveers, reflecting expanding opportunities for women in high-seas naval expeditions.
How does this voyage differ from the INSV Neelkanth's previous expeditions?
Earlier voyages — including the 2021 Chennai-to-Visakhapatnam sail and the 2024 INS Satavahana Golden Jubilee expedition — followed the Indian coastline. The current mission crosses open seas in the Bay of Bengal, making it the vessel's most demanding journey to date.
What other sailing vessels does the Indian Navy operate?
The Indian Navy operates six ocean-going sailing vessels: INSV Mhadei, INSV Tarini, INSV Bulbul, INSV Hariyali, INSV Kadalpura, and INSV Neelkanth. They are used for expeditions and training, with several having undertaken circumnavigation and long-distance open-sea voyages.
