Vikram, Chandbibi, Ramadevi decommissioned

VISAKHAPATNAM: It was a sombre moment for Indian Coast Guard as three of its ships-Vikram, Chandbibi and Ramadevi were decommissioned with full military honours at sunset on Thursday by Inspector General SP Sharma, Commander Coast Guard Region East in the presence of Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and several other military officials.The Ceremony commenced with an impressive Guard of Honour and culminated in hauling down of the Coast Guard ensigns for the last time at sunset.The three ships entered into archives of Coast Guard making the present and previous crew nostalgic as the Ships Commissioning pennants were lowered with buglers playing the Last Post bidding farewell to them.These ships had flown the national tricolour and the Coast Guard ensign for over 28 years.Towards the end of the formal ceremony, the commanding officers, Commandant SK Singh of ICGS Vikram, Commandant JG) BN Mahato of ICGS Ramadevi and Lieutenant Commander Digvijay Singh of ICGS Chandbibi formally delivered the final decommissioning report to the Coast Guard Commander (East).The commander highlighted the contributions made by the vessels in ensuring maritime and coastal security on the eastern coast of India