Lt Gen DS Rana, AVSM, YSM, SM, General Officer Commanding 4 Corps, flagged off the Sailing Expedition – Lachit II on 17 Oct 22 from Biswanath Ghat, Biswanath Chariali as part celebrations of 75 years of NCC Raising. 76 Senior Division and Senior Wing Naval NCC Cadets from 48 and 49 Assam Naval Unit NCC are participating in the expedition. The team will be covering a distance of 220 KMs in 10 days transversing through 05 districts before reaching to Pandu Port, Guwahati on 26 Oct 22.
Each day the expedition team will cover an average distance of 20-25 KMs. The expedition team will take the first halt at Silghat, Nagaon after covering a distance of 30 KMs on Day 1. While enroute, the team will be creating awareness on social issues such as Beti Bachao Beti Padao and Social Media – Benefits and Harms etc during their halts. The cadets were part of CATC conducted by 5 A Bn NCC for pre sailing phase from 09-16 Oct 22. During the pre sailing phase, the cadets were trained on river sailing and pulling aspects; and underwent jump and recovery procedure in river current in case of any contingency. All the cadets participating in the expedition are swimming qualified and have undergone the pulling/ sailing training including Man Over Board Drill to overcome any emergencies.
The expedition is led by Lt Cdr Rajesh Bhujel, CO 49 A NU NCC and is assisted by Lt Cdr Debanand Doley, CO 48 A NU NCC as Safety Officer. Three in no 27 ft DK Whalers are taking part in the expedition. Additionally, a Support Vessel from IWT, Army and two rescue boats from both the Naval NCC Units will be part of the expedition. The Chief Guest interacted with the cadets and motivated them to come forward for such adventure activities and experience the rich and unique benefits of being an NCC cadet. Brig VP Gaikwad, Gp Cdr Dibrugarh Gp and Brig SS Gill, Gp Cdr, Tezpur Gp were also present.