Naval Landing Craft Decommissioned

Naval Landing Craft Decommissioned

After 32 years of glorious service to the nation, Indian Naval Landing Craft Utility (LCU),  L-38 and L-39, were decommissioned on 30 March 2019 at Andaman and Nicobar Command, Port Blair. The solemn decommissioning ceremony was presided over by Cmde Ashutosh Ridhorkar, VSM, Naval Component Commander of ANC with several senior officers including previous and present Commanding Officers as also crew of the ships in attendance. During the ceremony at sunset, as the light faded, the Commissioning Pennants, Naval Ensigns and National Flags of both the warships were lowered for the last time. The Naval Guard and band played in unison to salute the flags and pay tribute to the ships.  

IN LCU, L-38 and L-39 were the MK-III class of Landing Craft Utility ships built by Goa Shipyard Ltd and were commissioned into the Indian Navy on 10 December 1986 and 25 March 1987 respectively. Lieutenant Commander SS Gill was the first commanding officer of LCU 38 and Lieutenant Commander K Nair of LCU 39. With a compliment of 03 officers and 50 sailors, the Ships have undertaken countless beaching operations, surveillance patrols and participated in several exercises in their 32 years of yeoman service. As the last of the MK-III class of LCUs get decommissioned, next generation LCU MK-IV will replace them. Out of the eight LCU MK IV planned to be inducted into the flotilla of ANC, five have been inducted and three more will be inducted shortly.