Fleet: 3/20/0/5

Map (blue are fishing vessel routes torch-signaling messages)

The Raya has issued orders to the entire fleet to raise full battle readiness (includes turning 4 light ships into fireships), leave its docks (bringing along a large number of small fishing vessels, bought from coastal dwellers) and immediately move to the Palk Strait (except for 3 light ships in their port slightly north-east of the tip of the Indian peninsula), where they will lay hidden behind the peninsula that almost connects India to Ceylon and Mannar island [half the fleet behind peninsula, half behind Mannar, 1/8/0/0 for Fleet 1 and 2/8/0/0 for Fleet 2]. A torch-messenger system is to be quickly set up in the Strait to connect artillery garrisons and fleets to each other.

The Transport Fleet will carry 1,000 Artillery from the Third Army to Delft island next to Ceylon and 1,000 to Mannar island, also next to Ceylon, then anchor up near the coast to hide.

4 light ships in the south will unequip all flags and other identification methods, lower their crews to the lowest possible amount necessary for sailing at maximum maneuverability and start doing rounds in the area to spot any enemy vessels coming around the tip of the peninsula. Upon spotting an enemy vessel, they will act like scouting vessels and flee from the enemy towards the Palk Strait. They will try to move sufficiently ahead of the enemy fleet for the messengers to be able to alert both Vijaya fleets without alarming the enemy. Upon entering the strait they will linger near the entrance, spread across the gap between mainland and Mannar until the enemy is close enough to see that they enter the strait. They then sail into the strait and move behind Delft island to wait for further messages from the garrison about new orders.