The Maharashtra State Cabinet on November 1, 2018 approved the proposal to establish a maritime museum on board INS Viraat.
- INS Viraat, which was commissioned by Navy in 1987 and was decommissioned in March 2017 is the world’s oldest aircraft carrier.
- The museum will come up through public-private partnership and is likely to cost ₹852 crore.
- The purpose to set up a museum is to let the next generation know the history of Indian Navy and to infuse enthusiasm about marine services.
- The ship will be anchored seven nautical miles off the Nivati Rocks coast in Sindhudurg district. This will also help tourists tour the marine diversity and participate in marine games such as sailing, sky-diving. INS Viraat also has a provision to offer training to personnel working in merchant navy.
- The maritime museum will have information, goods related to marine life, audio-visual programmes, and an auditorium to know about the history of marine life.
About INS Viraat
- INS Viraat was made in 1959 for the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy as HMS Hermes and was instrumental in the Falklands War victory.
- It was commissioned by Navy in 1987. From the time Viraat was inducted to the Indian Navy, she underwent 14 refits to ensure longevity.
- It had taken part in all major military operations such as Operation Jupiter (1988, Sri Lanka peacekeeping mission), Operation Vijay (1999, post-Kargil), and Operation Parakram (2001, after Parliament attack).
- It is 743-foot long and 160-foot wide with a height of 29 feet.
