Dignitaries and members of the Indian community gathered in Fremantle, Australia, to welcome the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini and its two women officers, Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A., on November 9 following their remarkable 39-day voyage. Departing from Goa on October 2, the vessel covered an impressive 4,900 nautical miles, making it the first port of call on their global circumnavigation expedition, Navika Sagar Parikrama-II.
Upon arrival at approximately 2:30 p.m. IST (5:00 p.m. local time), the officers were greeted warmly by a gathering that included the Consul General of India at Perth, the Defence Advisor from Canberra, and representatives of the Royal Australian Navy, among others. The reception was further enhanced by traditional music performed by the Tamil Association of Western Australia, showcasing the rich cultural ties between the two nations.
The mission, aimed at marking women’s accomplishments in maritime exploration, was flagged off by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. The unprecedented journey involved challenging conditions, as the crew faced varying weather patterns and wind speeds reaching up to 40 knots, as well as a sea state of six. Despite such trials, the officers demonstrated exceptional resilience and maintained good health throughout the journey.
Admiral Tripathi closely monitored the team’s progress, receiving daily updates during their voyage, which involved crossing significant navigational milestones, including the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn. Commander Abhilash Tomy, a retired sailor and mentor to the crew since August 2023, commented on their performance, noting that the crew had managed to finish the trip in a commendable 38 days, slightly longer than the estimated 35 days. He praised both the crew and the vessel for their readiness as they prepare for the next leg of their journey.
The expedition is designed to cover approximately 23,000 nautical miles over 240 days, involving five separate legs with scheduled stopovers for replenishment and maintenance. The subsequent journey will take the officers from Fremantle to Lyttleton, New Zealand, and further to Port Stanley in the Falklands, Cape Town, South Africa, and finally back to Goa.
INSV Tarini, a 56-foot sailing vessel built by Aquarius Shipyard Ltd, joined the Indian Navy on February 18, 2017, and has since completed over 66,000 nautical miles, participating in significant expeditions including the first Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017. The two officers, with extensive sailing experience totaling 38,000 nautical miles, have undergone rigorous training in seamanship, meteorology, navigation, and survival techniques over the past three years.
As preparations for the next leg of their voyage continue, the crew is engaging in essential maintenance on the vessel. With the next segment expected to commence around November 24, the team remains focused on ensuring their readiness to tackle any extreme weather conditions they may encounter.
