Commander Avtar Singh Baath (Retd-), an Ex-Naval Officer (NDA 56th Course) and a seasoned mariner passed away following a cardiac arrest in the evening hours
of 15th September 2025 at Kolkata. He was 67 and is survived by his wife Mrs. Mona Baath and sons Karan Baath, Aman Baath and Nishant Baath. The last rites of the
departed was performed today in Kolkata.
Late Commander Avtar Singh Baath, popularly known to the Islanders as Commander Baath had joined the National Defénce Academy 56th Course in the year 1976 and came to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the year 1993 as a Naval Officer. He had served in INS Jarawa and MC-Det as the Commanding Officer before his retirement, Commander Baath retired from the Indian Navy in the year 2000 and chose to say in the Islands along with his family.
After his retirement, Commander Baath became one Of the pioneers to introduce and popularise Scuba Diving and Game Fishing in A&N Islands, In the early 2000
Commander Baath while taking foreign tourists in a dinghy had got drifted due to engine failure. The boat drifted for days together till it was spotted by the defence
rescue team and brought to safety. It was with his vast experionce in sea, immense courage and determination that he was able to save the precious lives of everyone
on board. The incident had even received national and international media coverage at the time.
Commander Baath had later set up a resort at Chidiyatapu known as Wild Grass. While continuing to be actively involved in tourism activities, he had also served
in Passenger and Cargo Ships in the Islands, both Government and Private Owned.
Commander Baath will fondly be remembered as a great mariner and one of the pioneers of Andaman & Nicobar Islands Tourism Industry,
