Life Buoy from NRP Afonso de Albuquerque
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This original life buoy is a significant maritime artifact from the Portuguese warship NRP Afonso de Albuquerque, one of the last major naval vessels operated by Portugal in its former Indian territories. The ship served as the flagship of the Portuguese Naval Forces in Goa and played a crucial role during Operation Vijay in December 1961, when the Indian Armed Forces liberated Goa, Daman, and Diu from Portuguese rule.
During the naval engagement off the coast of Goa, NRP Afonso de Albuquerque exchanged fire with Indian naval ships, including INS Betwa and INS Beas. After sustaining heavy damage, the vessel was intentionally beached near Mormugao to prevent it from sinking. The battle marked a decisive moment in India's naval history and the successful integration of Goa into the Indian Union.
This life buoy, once carried aboard the warship as an essential lifesaving device, symbolizes the vessel's operational service and its connection to one of the most important naval engagements in post-independence India. Preserved with its original markings and weathered appearance, it serves as a tangible reminder of the challenges of naval operations and the historic events of 1961.
The artifact was presented to the museum by Vice Admiral R. K. S. Gandhi, PVSM, VrC, who served as the Commanding Officer of INS Betwa during Operation Vijay. Today, it stands as a valuable exhibit, commemorating the courage, professionalism, and maritime heritage of the Indian Navy while preserving the legacy of a defining chapter in India's naval history.
During the naval engagement off the coast of Goa, NRP Afonso de Albuquerque exchanged fire with Indian naval ships, including INS Betwa and INS Beas. After sustaining heavy damage, the vessel was intentionally beached near Mormugao to prevent it from sinking. The battle marked a decisive moment in India's naval history and the successful integration of Goa into the Indian Union.
This life buoy, once carried aboard the warship as an essential lifesaving device, symbolizes the vessel's operational service and its connection to one of the most important naval engagements in post-independence India. Preserved with its original markings and weathered appearance, it serves as a tangible reminder of the challenges of naval operations and the historic events of 1961.
The artifact was presented to the museum by Vice Admiral R. K. S. Gandhi, PVSM, VrC, who served as the Commanding Officer of INS Betwa during Operation Vijay. Today, it stands as a valuable exhibit, commemorating the courage, professionalism, and maritime heritage of the Indian Navy while preserving the legacy of a defining chapter in India's naval history.