: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba along with the Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) Navy,Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi,flagged off a Tall Ship 'Sail-together' from the naval base here Wednesday.
The event, organised by the Indian Navy as part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of IONS, was attended by chiefs from navies and delegates from 26 countries participating in the 10th anniversary commemorative activities, besides a large gathering of Indian naval personnel.
The Royal Omani vessel 'Zinat-al-Bihaar' along with two Indian Naval Sailing Ships 'Sudharshini' and 'Tarangini', with one "Sea Rider" each from Sri-Lanka, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, Bangladesh and Maldives are participating in the 'Sail Together', which is planned over a distance of 1200 nautical miles to Muscat and back.
It seeks to retrace the maritime trade route of yesteryears between the Malabar Coast and the Persian Gulf.
A grand fly past with nine helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft was undertaken to mark the occasion.
"The event carries with it the memories of a glorious maritime past and the ancient cultural exchange that opened long-distance political and economic relations between the great civilizations of India and those in Persia and Arabia," a Defence release said.
More From This Section
The route also honours the socio-cultural and maritime history that is shared among populations across the Indian Ocean as a result of this trade.
The release said having Kerala as the starting point for the sail-together was both apt and befitting. The state's coastal magnificence has been a legendary maritime hub for traders from across the world, dating all the way back to the first century, it said.
The "Sail Together" would culminate with the Tall Ships being received at Muscat on November 29.