OREANDA-NEWS. As a reinforcement to its commitment to provide safe and secure offshore operations, ONGC handed over a fleet of ISVs (Immediate Support Vessels) to the Indian navy for commissioning .This fleet of Seven ISVs (each of which can carry up to six navy commandos and a commanding officer) makes up an entire squadron and shall buttress the safety and security of the national assets at offshore and also thwart possible terror attacks.

The commissioning was carried out at the docks the Western Naval Command, at Mumbai on January 30, 2014. The ceremony which was carried out with full naval protocol was presided over by ONGC CMD Mr. Sudhir Vasudeva. Each of the commanding officers read out the commissioning warrant and the pennants were hoisted with full naval colours at a captivating ceremony.

The pennants being hoisted with full naval protocol

Speaking on the momentous occasion, a visibly elated Mr Vasudeva quipped that this had been a long nurtured dream and expressed satisfaction at seeing this dream being realized. In his brief address, Mr Vasudeva apprised that ONGC has over USD 30 billion of surface facilities and USD 15 billion of sub surface facilities and this was but a necessary step to secure and safeguard the organizational and national interests.

He also made a small mention of the facilities of the ISVs all of whom are having Light and Heavy Machine Guns, can sail with a maximum speed of 40 knots, and are having an endurance of 500 miles.

Mr. Vasudeva thanked the Navy for continuing to render yeoman services in ensuring safe and secure operations of ONGC .He also expressed his confidence that it will boost the morale of our offshore personnel .He also underlined that as much as the armed forces provide physical security to the nation it is the honor and duty of ONGCians to provide energy security to the nation who are working in the toughest and roughest of terrains.

The Handing over ceremony was graced by the Vice Admiral Mr. A R Karve, AVSM, Mr. T K Sengupta, OSD (offshore), Mr. S N Singh, ED- Chief Security and other top brass of ONGC. A team of M/s SHM Shipcare, led by Mr. Saifuddin Hajee, was also present.

Mr. Sudhir Vasudeva being felicitated by Vice Admiral Karve

Addressing the gathering Vice Admiral , Mr. Karve said that it was decided by the 'Rakhsha Mantri' that in order to increase the security of the seas 23 ISVs should be provisioned by ONGC. He expressed his pleasure at the honor of commissioning seven of them. He thanked the ONGCians in general and Mr. Vasudeva in particular for the sweat and toil that had been undertaken in crystalizing this dream.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Hajee thanked ONGC and pledged full cooperation in ensuring the maintenance of the vessels. (There is a one year maintenance contract as of now and the details of furthering the maintenance are being worked out). The ceremony concluded with a visit to the ISVs by the dignitaries.