The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, manned by a dedicated two-woman crew, has embarked on the second leg of its ambitious expedition, Navika Sagar Parikrama-II, setting sail from Fremantle, Australia on Sunday. The vessel departed at 0830 IST (1100 local time), with a send-off from an enthusiastic crowd wishing the crew a safe and successful journey ahead.
This remarkable expedition, aimed at circumnavigating the globe, is being undertaken by Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A. The journey was officially launched on October 2nd by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, marking a significant milestone in the realm of maritime exploration for Indian women in the naval forces.
During its first leg, INSV Tarini covered an impressive distance of 4900 nautical miles in just 39 days, making a scheduled stop in Fremantle on November 9. There, the crew received a warm welcome from the Consul General of India in Perth, along with representatives from the Royal Australian Navy and members of the Indian diaspora, including veterans from the Armed Forces who celebrated the crew’s achievement.
While in Fremantle, Tarini underwent a comprehensive series of system checks, repairs, and necessary provisioning for the upcoming endeavors, all under the vigilant oversight of an Indian shore support team. Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd), who served as the mentor for the expedition, provided valuable insights to the crew regarding the next phase of their journey and assessed the readiness of the vessel.
The next segment of the voyage is set to cover a challenging 3,400 nautical miles (approximately 6,300 kilometers) and is expected to span around 20 days. As the crew navigates through this route, they will encounter challenging weather patterns, including frontal weather systems and dropping temperatures, particularly as they cross significant geographical landmarks such as Cape Leeuwin, the Great Australian Bight, Tasmania, and ultimately reach Lyttelton, New Zealand’s South Island.
The expedition exemplifies the spirit of adventure, resilience, and dedication displayed by the Indian Navy, as well as the growing role of women in maritime activities. The journey not only aims to set a record but also seeks to inspire future generations of women to strive for excellence in fields that have traditionally been male-dominated.
