After eight months at sea and over 23,400 nautical miles of sailing across some of the planet’s most challenging waters, INSV Tarini is now nearing the coast of Goa. Onboard are Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K, who are set to become the first Indian women to circumnavigate the globe in double-handed mode — with a crew of just two — aboard a sailing vessel.
The historic expedition began on October 2, 2024, from Goa, with the aim of completing a circumnavigation without external assistance and relying solely on wind power. As INSV Tarini approaches the Indian coastline, preparations are underway for a ceremonial welcome at the Mormugao Port Trust, expected to be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday.
The journey was completed in stages, with stopovers at key international ports for replenishment and vessel maintenance. These included Fremantle in Australia, Lyttelton in New Zealand, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, and Cape Town in South Africa. The final leg is now bringing the crew back to Goa, closing the loop of a global maritime challenge that only a few have accomplished.
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The voyage tested the physical and mental endurance of the two officers. They faced three cyclones, navigated the notorious Point Nemo — the most remote location in the ocean — and crossed Cape Horn, the southernmost point of South America, in mid-February. Battling waves over five metres high and persistent storms, the pair earned the traditional title of ‘Cape Horners’ given to sailors who brave the Horn under sail.
The expedition demanded self-reliance and resilience. The officers had to function not only as navigators but also as engineers, electricians, and mechanics. Lt Cdr Dilna K, during a public interaction in Cape Town, recalled moments of despair during calm patches with no wind and said they learnt to take things moment by moment. “We have started believing in ourselves. We know what we are capable of,” she said.
The feat is being celebrated not just as a maritime achievement, but also as a milestone for gender representation in India’s armed forces and a boost for India’s blue-water naval ambitions. With INSV Tarini expected to dock soon, the Indian Navy and the nation await the return of two women who have quietly made history, one wave at a time.
