As we all know Indian navy is the seventh strongest navy in the world. And we all are very proud of this. We have air carrier like INS Vikrant, submarines like INS Shankush, warships like INS Brahmaputra and fleet tankers like INS Deepak. Don’t know what is a fleet tanker? I will tell everything about them to you. Actually, I got to know a lot of information on them when I went inside an actual submarine, warship and fleet tanker!
Lately, the navy officers are allowed to bring their families on Sunday’s and go around the ships to explain them how they work. My relatives were ex-Navy officers and we were privileged to have a look inside. We started with the most fascinating vessel- the submarine. I suppose everybody knows that the submarine actually goes below the water level and defences our country.
But do we know how much do our navy officers sacrifice for us? You won’t believe the space to sleep or work was extremely less. We, common people can’t stay there for even an hour and the navy officers are supposed to stay there for at least 2-3 months or even more. And because there is less space, the officials are trained how to survive there. But just in case anybody falls ill, there is always a doctor in the submarine as well as in the other ships.
Next, we headed towards the warship. It had many types of guns; missiles and it even had a place where three helicopters can be kept at a time. It also had different types of antennas which could detect the radiations, call for help and send signals. It was a lot bigger than the submarine and it had sufficient space for everyone. Then we reached the majestic- fleet tanker. Basically, the task of a fleet taker is to go with a fleet of ships and carry lot of food, fuel and fresh water. When the fuel, food or water of other ships are finished, then this ship provides it to them while sailing, so that the ship does not need to go back to the port.
There are very big and long pipes attached to a fleet ship from which fuel and water is transferred to the other ship while sailing. Whereas food is either transferred with the help of a helicopter or a zip-line is used for it. The navy officers on the ships also have to practice different types of safety drills and exercises to keep themselves fit.
Do you know there are many ceremonies which are conducted on the ships. Two such ceremonies are- Flag hoisting ceremony which is done as the sun rises. And the other is bringing the national flag down when the sun sets. I feel that being a navy officer and wearing that uniform is a matter of pride. And everybody should respect and be thankful to them who stay away from their families for months and safeguard our nation.
