At sunset, at Chennai Port on September 24 last year, the buglers of the Coast Guard sounded the last post as the national flags fluttering on the two interceptor boats were lowered for the last time. That marked the decommissioning of C-02 and C-06 boats which had completed an eventful service of 21 years. Besides carrying out anti-smuggling operations in the high seas, these South Korean - made FRP boats were deployed off Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka during IPKF operations and for range clearance off Sriharikota where rockets are launched.

The ceremony was presided over by Cmde R S Vasan, Commander, Coast Guard Region (East) and witnessed by Maj Gen A S Jamwal, GOC, ATNKK & G Area, Brig K S Rampuria, Chief Engineer, Chennai Zone, Col V Chandra, Commanding Officer, Military Hospital, Chennai and other senior officers from the Services.

The boat C-02, which was at sea for 1367 days, had been commanded by 20 commanding officers. Its personnel had received commendation twice from the Director General of Coast Guard and four times from the Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).