40,000 km in 8 months: 2 women Navy officers to set sail around the globe in October

The expedition was first conceived by the Navy with the inaugural edition of the Navika Sagar Parikrama, the first Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-women crew of six officers in 2017. For the last three years, the two Naval officers, both in their 30s and from military families, have been preparing for this sailing expedition, which will be flagged off from Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, at Goa.

At a curtain-raiser on the expedition on Monday, Lt Cdr Roopa said it would be an exceptional journey of eight months. Saying that they have been training for nearly three years, she expressed confidence in their preparations.

Sharing the likely challenges, Lt Cdr Dilna said they would have to sail at least 21,600 nautical miles without any external assistance, relying solely on wind power, while highlighting that the voyage route would include going around Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope.

As part of their preparations, the two officers participated in a trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back, as part of a six-member crew, last year. They also undertook a sailing expedition from Goa to Sri Vijaya Puram (earlier Port Blair) and back, and a sortie from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius, early this year.

Vice Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, described it as a journey of empowerment, innovation and commitment to India’s maritime heritage that will chart new paths. He said the event would highlight the perseverance and courage of the officers, who will be pushed to the limits of human endurance.

Captain Dilip Donde (retd) was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2009-10. Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd) was the first Asian skipper to participate in two circumnavigations and completed the Golden Globe Race in 2022. He has been closely associated with the training of the two Naval officers as the official mentor.

As per the Navy, the expedition is being conducted under the aegis of the Indian Naval Sailing Association based at Naval Headquarters, and the Ocean Sailing Node, Goa, under the Southern Naval Command. Both the nodal centres will coordinate the voyage, in liaison with international maritime agencies and authorities.