Lt Cdr Dilna K (L) and Lt Cdr Roopa A. (Photo: Indian Navy)
Panaji: The Indian Navy has launched the second iteration of its esteemed Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition, with two female officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, setting sail on an eight-month circumnavigation of the globe aboard the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel Tarini. The journey was flagged off from INS Mandovi in Goa, on Wednesday.
The Indian Navy chief, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, flagged off the expedition, which was also attended by Vice Admiral V Srinivas, flag officer commanding in chief (Southern Naval Command); Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, director general armed forces medical services, other senior Navy officers; civilian dignitaries and enthusiastic serving and retired members from the Indian military community.
#INSVTarini will once again set sail on a challenging expedition of circumnavigating the globe, with the courageous duo of Lt Cdr Dilna K & Lt Cdr Roopa A on #02Oct 24, as part of 2nd edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama,#NSP2.https://t.co/SMOIEKYdmE
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 23, 2024
Over a period of 08 months,… pic.twitter.com/v3fG99RuAS
The two officers will navigate 21,600 nautical miles (approximately 40,000 kilometres), relying exclusively on wind power, without any external aid. Their voyage will traverse some of the world’s most challenging and treacherous waters, including the perilous passages around the three great capes – Cape Leeuwin in Australia, Cape Horn in South America, and the Cape of Good Hope in Africa.
According to a Navy statement, Navika Sagar Parikrama II will unfold in five stages with stopovers at four ports for replenishment and maintenance, as necessary. The broad outline of the voyage is as follows:
a. Goa to Fremantle, Australia
b. Fremantle to Lyttelton, New Zealand
c. Lyttelton to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
d. Port Stanley to Cape Town, South Africa
e. Cape Town to Goa
INSV Tarini, a 56-foot sailing vessel constructed by Messrs Aquarius Shipyard Limited, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on February 18, 2017. The vessel has logged more than 66,000 nautical miles (around 122,223 kilometres) and participated in the first edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017, transoceanic expeditions from Goa to Rio, Goa to Port Louis, and other significant voyages. The boat is fitted with advanced navigation, safety and communication equipment and has recently undergone necessary maintenance and equipment upgrades.
Both officers, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A, with a combined sailing experience of 38,000 nautical miles (70,376 kilometres), have trained rigorously for this epic voyage for more than three years under the mentorship of Commander Abhilash Tomy – a celebrated veteran sailor and the first Asian skipper to complete the Golden Globe Race in 2022. They have been instructed in ocean sailing aspects of seamanship, meteorology, navigation, survival techniques and medical care at sea.
This expedition builds on the legacy of the 2017 Navika Sagar Parikrama I, when an all-women crew of six Indian Navy officers circumnavigated the globe, completing the journey in 254 days. This pioneering voyage not only demonstrated India’s maritime capabilities but also highlighted the Indian Navy’s commitment to women empowerment, a core value that is being carried forward in this second edition.
This iteration of the expedition is unique as it will be the first double-handed circumnavigation of the globe by Indian sailors.
The expedition is organized under the aegis of the Indian Naval Sailing Association and coordinated through the Ocean Sailing Node in Goa. These centres work in close collaboration with international maritime agencies to ensure a safe and smooth journey for the officers. The mission stands as a testament to the Navy’s professionalism, innovation, and commitment to upholding India’s maritime heritage.
In a statement, the Navy said Navika Sagar Parikrama II is not only a display of maritime expertise but also a powerful symbol of Nari Shakti (women’s empowerment). As the two officers sail across the world’s oceans, they will carry with them the spirit of adventure, resilience, and the aspirations of future generations of women in the Indian Navy.
