Boarding history! Our Crawford International La Lucia College Grade 10 and 11 History students stepped onto an Indian-Russian warship, where steel meets legacy and every deck tells a tale of bravery and strategy. From the command centre to the weaponry, it was a fascinating glimpse into naval power and diplomacy. This was definitely an experience to remember! Here’s what our students have said about their experience:

“The brand-new INS Tushil cut an intimidating portrait floating in the Durban port, its 100mm main naval gun pointing across the Durban harbour. Its grey livery loomed large in the blue sky. On the ground smiling Indian Naval officers dressed in freshly ironed white uniforms chauffeured us quickly up a gang walk onto the warship. As the sun beamed down on the shimmering water, we toured the ships deck past, helicopter pads, torpedoes and Surface to Air missiles. All while under the gaze of heavily armed guards. These were clear reminders of the frigates recent adventures fighting piracy. Aboard the deck we enjoyed a peaceful happy atmosphere while sipping on juice and ginger biscuits. When the time came to leave, we posed with the friendly officers who had shown us the capabilities of a modern naval frigate, proud to take part in the growing diplomatic relationship between South Africa and India.” – Charles Yarrow “Visiting the Durban port and seeing the Indian Navy was such an incredible experience. Seeing everything up close made me appreciate the scale and discipline of naval forces even more. I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity.” – Saya Blanc “Visiting Tushil was an eye-opening experience that gave me insight into naval operations and defense. I found the ship’s technology fascinating, but what stood out most was the welcoming nature and hospitality of the Indian crew. They were incredibly eager to share their knowledge, making the visit both informative and memorable. It was a unique experience that I truly enjoyed.” – Gareth Cartwright