Two women naval officers set for round-the-world sailing expedition

NEW DELHI: Two women naval officers, Lieutenant Commanders Roopa A and Dilna K, are now all set to embark on a sailing expedition to circumnavigate the globe after three years of arduous training.

The two young officers will soon begin their expedition called 'Navika Sagar Parikrama-II' onboard the indigenously built 56-foot sailing vessel INSV Tarini. "It will be a gruelling voyage requiring extreme skills, physical fitness and mental alertness. The officers have been training rigorously and gained thousands of miles of sailing experience under their belts," Navy spokesperson Captain Vivek Madhwal said on Sunday.

The two have also undergone training under the mentorship of ace circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race hero Commander Abhilash Tomy (retd), a Kirti Chakra and Nao Sena Medal awardee.

Lt Commanders Roopa and Dilna were also part of the six member crew that participated in a trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro, via Cape Town, and back last year.

"Thereafter, they undertook a sailing expedition from Goa to Port Blair and back in 'double-handed mode'. Further, they successfully undertook a sortie from Goa to Port Louis in Mauritius again early this year," Capt Madhwal said. "The Navy has made significant efforts to revitalise the sailing tradition, emphasising its commitment to preserve maritime heritage and promote seamanship skills," he said.

"Through the pioneering efforts of sail training ships INS Tarangini and INS Sudarshini and circumnavigation onboard INSV Mhadei and INSV Tarini, the Navy has taken a centre stage in ocean sailing expeditions," he added.


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