Welcome aboard: From warship to luxury hotel

I’ve spent a lifetime sailing the high seas. My thirst for adventure seemed insatiable, as I visited port after port, patrolling the waters with my trusty crew. I could regale you with stories of the drama I’ve witnessed on the waves, and of the brave sailors who have stood steadfast on my bow. There have been times when I thought I’d buckle under the strain of wild waves, shuddering with every clap of thunder that lit up the waters. Yet, I’ve soldiered on for over 55 years, braving everything they could throw at me.
Today, I am the INS Viraat, and this is my story.

 

 

I’m a long way from home. My best years were spent serving Her Majesty the Queen of England, in the British Royal Navy. I was full of spirit those days, and my crowning moment came when I was designated flagship of the Royal Navy’s taskforce for the campaign against Argentina in the 1982 Falklands Islands war. We fought to retain British overseas territories in the South Atlantic that the Argentinians had invaded. The crown colony was reclaimed after over 2 months of attacks and counter-attacks.

I still remember the day I set sail from my homeport in Portsmouth in the company of HMS Invincible. Those days, I was known as Hermes, the name I was christened with when I first floated down the slip-way. I’ve played my role of aircraft carrier to perfection, having hosted several aircraft including Sea Vixens, Buccaneers, Gannets, and more recently, Sea Harriers and the Sea Kings. I was the largest aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy during those days, and they kept bringing me back to shore to improve me further – from adding anti-submarine capabilities to facilities to support Sea Harriers. After the war in 1982, I was given a much needed refit and painting, restoring me to my pre-war glory. Life on the waters was largely calm post that, and I was a part of a few exercises in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In 1987, I was refitted and reactivated at the Devonport dockyard, and sold to the Indian government. I consider this new lease of life my rebirth. And what better place for it to happen than at the home of all things spiritual – India! In this new avatar, I was to be known as the INS Viraat.

 

 

Since being deployed here, I’ve ferried Sea Harriers, Chetaks as well as the Sea King choppers. There were two of us carriers initially, but the INS Vikrant was decommissioned in 1997, and then I was the sole aircraft carrier in the Indian Navy – quite a far cry from my days in the Royal Navy! (I’m told Vikrant was converted into a museum and berthed at Cuff Parade, Mumbai until 2012, before they decided to break her up – thanks to the high upkeep costs). I’m the oldest aircraft carrier in service, and was the flagship of the Indian Navy until young turk INS Vikramaditya was commissioned in 2013. I showed Vikramaditya the ropes over the last few years, as long as I found it possible to sail without effort.

 

 

 

Age is not on my side though. I need constant upkeep and repair, and the Indian government has been spending a pretty penny to keep me afloat. The dwindling numbers of Harriers and Sea Kings add to the fact that the Navy might not need me anymore. I could see all this coming, and as I tell you my story today, I’m staring at a future that doesn’t seem very certain.

 

 

As news began to trickle in that I would be shortly decommissioned, my crew took every care to ensure I was given a worthy farewell. I set sail from Mumbai with over a thousand sailors on my last voyage in January 2016, to take part in the International Fleet Review to be held at Vishakhapatnam. I enjoyed the attention, being the cynosure of eyes at the review which hosted over 100 ships from 50 Navies across the world. This showcase maritime event of India most certainly is a fitting platform for me to be saying my goodbyes from. I will head back to Mumbai after this, to await word on what will become of me. There have been rumors that I’ve been hearing.

 

 

Conventional wisdom would call for me to be berthed and turned into a floating museum. But the costs for this would run into several hundred crores, and I’m not sure I know anybody who’d be willing to foot that bill. In fact, the defence ministry even offered to sell me to anybody for One rupee, if they’d agree to bear the conversion costs as well as maintenance. One rupee! Can you believe that? Is that what I’ve been reduced to? Sigh. I’m not sure what the fates have in store for me. I’m not complaining though. I’ve lived a full life, and had my run of the seas!

Update:
Guess what?! I just heard something pretty exciting. The government of Andhra Pradesh wants to acquire me to turn me into a floating hotel. Isn’t that grand? A hotel at sea with over one thousand rooms for guests. There probably will even be a luxury ‘commander suite’! I can entertain tourists with tales of my exploits, as they soak in the exclusive settings of an aircraft carrier. The budget details are being worked out apparently, but I really hope it does materialize. A hotel will certainly be a better bet than a museum in terms of revenue for the host state too. They could also promote adventure activities and sea sports alongside.
I’ve also managed to learn that the sole submarine museum in India is located at the Ramakrishna Mission beach, Vishakhapatnam. The Soviet built INS Kurusa has been stationed there since 2002, and has proven to be quite the attraction. I’d definitely add to this ‘maritime tourism appeal’ that the state seems to be developing.
Will send out another update once the details are finalized. Keeping my masts crossed until then.

Also read:

From the high seas to crowded streets – INS Vikrant lives on.