KOLLAM: A 10-day naval sailing expedition comprising 65 NCC cadets under the Kerala and Lakshadweep Directorate was flagged off by Brig. K. Loganathan, Group Commander, NCC Group Headquarters Kollam, at the 3(K) Naval Unit NCC jetty in Thevally. Organized as part of the Most Enterprising Naval Unit (MENU) 2026 competition, the expedition covers a 210-kilometer route along National Waterway-3 from Kollam to Pathiramanal Island in Alappuzha and back, traversing Ashtamudi, Punnamada, and Vembanad lakes.
The contingent, featuring 36 boy and 29 girl cadets selected for their physical fitness, swimming proficiency, and boat-pulling aptitude, is sailing across three DK Whaler boats. Led by Commanding Officer Capt. J. Parameshwaran and Executive Officer Lt. Cdr. Rahul Das of the 3(K) Naval Unit NCC, the initiative aims to provide hands-on exposure to seamanship, navigation, and leadership. Comprehensive route reconnaissance and safety mitigation protocols were executed prior to the launch to ensure safe navigation across backwater channels.
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