Female Naval Officers Aim To Become First Indian Duo To Sail Around The World

Two Indian Navy officers, Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K, are on a mission to become the first Indian duo to circumnavigate the globe. They embarked from Goa, setting sail aboard an Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) on a journey that will cover 21,600 nautical miles over the next eight months.

The duo, chosen from 17 candidates, have spent the last three years rigorously preparing for the mission. They are expected to sail past the great capes of the southern hemisphere, with planned stops in Australia, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, and South Africa.

Rigorous Training for a Challenging Journey

Both officers come from military backgrounds and have thousands of nautical miles under their belts. Their training included mentoring by retired Commander Abhilash Tomy, a renowned circumnavigator who recently finished second in the 2022 Golden Globe Race. Last year, they completed a journey from Goa to Rio de Janeiro, and earlier this year, they successfully sailed to Sri Vijaya Puram and Mauritius.

“This route is rarely sailed,” says Cdr Tomy. “The challenges could come from extremes of weather, battling isolation, and gear failure.”

Self-Sufficiency on the High Seas

The officers are fully aware of the challenges ahead. “When we cast off, no ship will be escorting us. We will be on our own,” said Lt Cdr Dilna. “If we run out of water, there will be no assistance nearby. On the boat, we are the engineers, electricians, and carpenters.”

The journey requires a wide range of skills, from navigation to weather prediction and even medical knowledge, with no shortcuts to survival at sea.

A Journey of Empowerment and Tradition

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan hailed the expedition as both a journey of empowerment and a celebration of India’s maritime heritage. “This mission will advance India’s ocean sailing enterprise and showcase the growing prominence of gender equality on the high seas,” he said.

While India is not aiming for any records, this expedition reflects the Navy’s commitment to revitalizing its sailing traditions and promoting seamanship through initiatives like INS Tarangini and INS Sudarshini.

For Lt Cdr Roopa and Lt Cdr Dilna, this journey represents the culmination of years of hard work and preparation. As Lt Cdr Dilna put it, “I always wanted to do something different and challenging. When I got the opportunity, I just grabbed it.”