Chennai, June 2:
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ceremonially decommissioned its Offshore Patrol Vessel ICG Ship Sarang after 27 years of exemplary service, at a traditional sunset parade held at Chennai Port on May 31, 2026.
The ceremony, conducted with full Coast Guard honours, was presided over by Additional Director General Donny Michael, Commander, Coast Guard Eastern Seaboard. It was attended by senior civil and military dignitaries, former Commanding Officers, and crew members who had served onboard the vessel during its long and distinguished career.
Commissioned on June 21, 1999, at Goa by Vice Admiral V.A. Kamath (Retd), the first Director General of the ICG, Sarang was initially based in Mumbai before being re-based to Chennai in April 2002. The ship was the third Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Samar-class, indigenously built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
True to its name—Sarang, meaning “Hawk”—the vessel symbolised vigilance, determination, and protection. Over nearly three decades, it played a crucial role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests, contributing significantly to coastal security, surveillance, and emergency response operations.
One of its notable achievements included its critical role in firefighting operations aboard the Motor Tanker New Diamond off the coast of Sri Lanka, showcasing the ship’s operational capability and the crew’s professionalism under challenging conditions.
During the decommissioning ceremony, a ceremonial guard of honour was presented, and as the sun set, the Coast Guard ensign was lowered for the final time. The decommissioning pennant, matching the length of the vessel, was also brought down in a synchronized act, marking the formal end of its commissioned service.
Addressing the gathering, ADG Donny Michael lauded the ship’s “extraordinary operational footprint” and its steadfast service as a “sentinel of the seas.” He commended the officers and sailors who served aboard Sarang for their dedication and contributions to national maritime security.
The event concluded on an emotional note as former crew members gathered to bid farewell to the vessel that had stood as a symbol of the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment “to strive and protect” the nation’s maritime domain.