Journalists from Meghalaya and Sikkim gained a rare appreciation of the skill and precision behind naval operations in Kochi on Tuesday, experiencing a bridge simulator and seeing the actual navigation systems, helicopter hangar and helipad of an Indian Naval vessel. The experience, part of the Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Press Tour to Kerala, offered them a closer understanding of the technology, discipline and human effort involved in life and operations at sea.
The visit began at the Navigation and Direction (ND) School, Kochi, where Captain Rahul Pawar, Officer-in-Charge, ND School, briefed the journalists on the specialised training imparted to naval personnel and the critical role of navigation and direction in maritime operations. He explained how classroom instruction, practical exercises and technology-enabled training prepare personnel to navigate and manoeuvre vessels under diverse and challenging maritime conditions.
The journalists were also briefed on the Integrated Simulator Complex ‘Dhruv’ at Southern Naval Command, which includes an Astronavigation Dome, the first-of-its-kind in the Indian Navy. The complex houses indigenously developed simulators providing realistic, real-time training in navigation, fleet operations and naval tactics. The briefing highlighted how such technology enables personnel to practise complex operational situations in a controlled environment and sharpen their responses.
A major highlight was the newly opened bridge simulator facility at the ND School, where the journalists themselves experienced the challenges of operating a ship from its bridge. Taking positions at the simulator controls, they navigated a realistic virtual maritime environment, handling the vessel, manoeuvring and responding to changing navigational situations. The hands-on experience gave them a deeper appreciation of the concentration, coordination and quick decision-making required to operate a ship at sea.
The delegation was subsequently introduced to astronavigation, learning how celestial bodies can be used as navigational references to determine position and direction. The interaction highlighted the continued relevance of this traditional skill alongside sophisticated electronic navigation systems, offering the journalists an insight into the way traditional knowledge and modern technology complement each other in naval operations.
The delegation thereafter visited INS Sunayana, where Lieutenant Naorem Nivash, ASW Officer, briefed them on the vessel, its capabilities and operational role. The journalists were taken to the ship’s bridge, where they saw the actual navigation and control systems used to operate the vessel and gained a closer understanding of the coordination and precision involved in handling a naval ship at sea. They also visited the helicopter hangar and helipad, gaining an insight into the facilities and arrangements supporting aviation operations onboard.
An interaction with naval personnel over refreshments added a personal dimension to the visit, allowing the journalists to learn informally about life onboard, the routines of personnel deployed at sea and their experiences serving on a naval vessel.
The visit concluded at the Indian Naval Maritime Museum at INS Dronacharya, where Commander Repsol Raj, Officer-in-Charge, Museum, briefed the delegation on India’s maritime and naval heritage. Through photographs, models, equipment, exhibits and other artefacts, the journalists traced the evolution of India’s naval capabilities and the country’s longstanding relationship with the sea.
The day’s experience took the journalists through the complete spectrum of the visit—from naval training and simulator-based ship handling to astronavigation, an operational vessel and maritime heritage. The opportunity to operate the simulator, examine the actual systems on a naval ship and interact with personnel provided the media representatives with a perspective that went beyond a conventional briefing, helping them appreciate the precision, preparedness and commitment that underpin operations at sea.
