MUMBAI, JAN 30
To mark the momentous occasion of 200th year of the Bombay Engineer Group and Centre’s saga of valour, sacrifice and its accomplishments in service of the Indian Army in January 2020, an Army Ocean Sailing expedition was undertaken from Mumbai to Okha and back from January 15-27, 2020. The 13-day sailing expedition tested the skill of sailors on high seas, a Defence PRO release said.
The expedition was led by Lieutenant Colonel MK Singh and consisted five Officers, two Junior Commissioned Officers, 35 Other Rank from all arms, services, including Engineers, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Signals, Sikh Light Infantry and Maratha Light Infantry troops. The team sailed in four Seabird class boats which were supported by a ground support team. Seabird is primarily a harbour sailing boat with a length of 21 feet, a width of 8.5 feet and a sail area of approximately 180 square feet. The boat has a draft of approximately 1 foot at the stern and basic facilities on board.
The expedition was flagged in by Lt Gen Michael Mathews, Param Vishist Seva Medal, Vishist Seva Medal, Commandant, College of Military Engineering, Pune and Colonel Commandant, The Bombay Sappers at Heavy Bridge Training Centre (HBTC) Marve on January 27, 2020, the release added.
In the course of the last 200 years, the Bombay Sappers have earned 31 Theatre Honours and 37 Battle Honours, in addition to one each Victoria Cross, Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra along with numerous gallantry awards, displaying the grit and courage of the Bombay Sappers. The Bombay Sappers are the pioneers of many adventure activities in the Indian Army and have participated in numerous mountaineering expeditions, round the world sailing and skydiving.
