Coldplay on playlist, pickles to snack on, 2 women Naval officers set off to make history

On completion of the voyage, the officers, who will circumnavigate the globe under the second edition of the Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition, will be the first from India to accomplish the feat in double-handed mode.
“There are a lot of fleeting thoughts and mixed emotions. We wouldn’t say there is no fear. We are excited and aware of the challenges that lie ahead. We have been waiting for this moment for three years. The sea is calling,” said Lt Cdr Roopa A (32), who hails from Puducherry, while waiting for the big day at the Naval Ocean Sailing Node at INS Mandovi in Goa.

Though she grew up close to the beaches in the port city of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, sailing was never on the cards, she says. An aeronautical engineer, she joined the Navy in 2017 in Naval Armament Inspection Cadre and soon started sailing in “small dinghy” boats before shifting to competitive sailing for intra- and inter-command championships.

“The sea is the greatest teacher. It has taught us a lot of patience. When you are at sea, you don’t have a lot in your control. You cannot change what direction the wind comes in or how the seas can be. You just have to adjust your sails,” she says.

Her colleague, Dilna K (30) from Calicut, a logistics officer, also took to sailing after joining the Navy in 2014. For over three years, the officers have been undergoing rigorous training to brave rough seas and extreme weather conditions during the voyage, which will take them through treacherous waters, including passage around the three great Capes – Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

The expedition will start from Goa to Fremantle in Australia in the first leg, and then proceed to Lyttelton, near Christchurch in New Zealand, followed by Port Stanley in Falkland Islands. It will then go to Cape Town in South Africa and return to Goa in May.

“When we cast off, no ship will be escorting us. We will be on our own. For instance, if we run out of water, there will be no ship, say, at a distance of 10 miles who can come for assistance. On the boat, we are the engineers, electricians, carpenters,” said Dilna K.

During an earlier expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back, the duo was part of a six-member crew when they were caught in a storm off South Africa, lasting over two days with winds notching up to 60 knots and waves as high as 10 feet.

“That experience gave us a glimpse… that this could be a constant affair on the Southern Ocean. We have done various trans-Atlantic and trans-Oceanic expeditions, but we have not been to the Southern Ocean. In such situations, when seas are rough, and there is sleep deprivation, it requires physical and mental endurance,” said Roopa A.

The expedition will start from Goa to Fremantle in Australia in the first leg, and then proceed to Lyttelton, near Christchurch in New Zealand, followed by Port Stanley in Falkland Islands. (Express Photo)

“There is no typical day at sea, every day is different. Time on board is spent in setting up sails, maintaining equipment, watchkeeping and chores. Daily, we have to send a situation report to the Navy, analyse weather reports, and passage planning. We will have access to the internet, but it is limited to sending situation reports and sometimes talking to family members,” said Dilna K.

With INSV Tarini set to be their home for the next eight months, the officers are carrying books, musical instruments, motivational letters gifted by friends and families and home-made food and pickles.

“My sister has given me her soft toy, a panda, which she calls ‘Pan Pan’. I am also carrying a photograph of my family, books written by astronomer Carl Sagan, and technical books on sailing. We have downloaded all songs by Coldplay and Imagine Dragons,” said Roopa A.

“I am carrying my Ukulele and a lot of pickles, Calicut chips and tapioca chips,” said Dilna K.
The officers have also stocked up on supplies of idli and dosa batter for the entire leg. “That is comfort food,” said Roopa A.

The Defence Food Research Laboratory has also made specialised food for the officers.

The officers said they have read accounts of Capt Dilip Donde (rtd), who was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2009-10, and Cdr Abhilash Tomy (rtd), who was the first Asian skipper to participate in two circumnavigations and accomplished the rare feat of completing the Golden Globe Race in 2022.

“Their expeditions have inspired us a lot. Cdr Abhilash Tomy, who has been mentoring us, repeatedly told us one instruction – no grounding, no collision, no man overboard,” the officers said.