ICGS Varad retires after 27 years of meritorious service

It was presided by Inspector General Rajan Bargotra, Commander Coast Guard Region (East). An impressive guard of honour was held at the sunset, as the Coast Guard ensign was hauled down from the ship for the last time. 

After this, the decommissioning pennant, which is equal to the length of the ship, was lowered. The Commanding Officer of the ship, Commandant Anwar Khan, commanded the ceremonial parade and made the final decommissioning report to the Commander, Coast Guard Region East. 

The ICGS Varad is the eighth ship in the series of the Vikram Class offshore patrol vessels built by the Goa Shipyard Limited. It was launched on September 2, 1989 and was commissioned on July 19, 1990, by Khurshid Alam Khan, then Governor of Goa. 

The ship had a pennant number 40 and international call sign ‘VTMP’. The name Varad was derived from a Sanskrit phrase ‘Sahayadri Varad Hast’, which means ‘granting wishes’.

During the ceremony, the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East), IG Bargotra highlighted the operations and contributions of the vessel during its 27 years of service. He also commended the ship and the crew for the yeoman service they have rendered over all these years.