Indian Navy readies second edition of Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition

The Indian Navy is all set to launch its second Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition on 2 October 2024. The Indian Navy launched its first Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017, manned by six female crew members, to circumnavigate the globe on board the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini, or INSV Tarini.

Lt Commander Vartika Joshi commanded the first  Navika Sagar Parikrama.

Two Member Female Crew to Helm 2nd Navika Sagar Parikrama

The second edition of the Navika Sagar Parikrama will be helmed by Lt Cdr Roopa A from Puducherry and Lt Cdr Dilna K from Calicut.  These Indian Naval officers from military family backgrounds have been undergoing training for the past three years under  Commodore (Retd) Abhilash Tomy. 

Commodore (Retd) Abhilash Tony was the first Asian skipper to participate in two global circumnavigations and completed the Golden Globe Race in 2022.

Who is organising the Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition?

The Navik Sagar Parikrama is being conducted by the Indian Naval Sailing Association, based at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, and Ocean Sailing Node, Goa, under the Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. Both nodal centres will coordinate the INSV Tarini voyage in cooperation with international maritime agencies and authorities.

From where will the INSV Tarini start its Journey 

The INSV Tarini will start its eight-month journey from Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, Goa, on 2 October 2024. It is expected to cover 21,600 nautical miles (around 40,000 km), navigating high seas, extreme weather conditions, and three great capes.

It will pass through the three great Capes: Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope.

• Cape Leevwin is situated at Australia's most south-westerly point, where the Southern Ocean meets the Indian Ocean.
• Cape Horn is located at the southern tip of the South American Continent (Chile). The seas are rough here, making navigation difficult, and the climate is windy and cold throughout the year.
• Cape of Good Hope is situated at the tip of the African continent (South Africa). At the Cape, the warm Mozambique-Agulhas current of the  Indian Ocean and the cool Benguela current of the South Atlantic Ocean meet. Due to the convergence of warm and cold water, the weather conditions here are always stormy with rough seas.

Unique feature of the Navika Sagar Parikrama

• The expedition will navigate the very rough seas of the world without the aid of modern technology. 
• The INSV Tarini will use only wind power to sail around the world. 
• Unlike the first edition, when six female crew members manned the ship,in the second edition, there will be only two crew members. If the expedition is successful, it will be the first time that such a feat has been accomplished by an Indian.

Indian Achievements in Circumnavigating the Globe

• Captain (Retd) Dilip Donde of the Indian Navy was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2009 - 10. 
• Commodore (Retd.)  Abhilash Tomy was the first Asian skipper to participate in two circumnavigations and the first Indian to complete the Golden Globe Race in 2022. 
• Golden Globe Race is a solo, non-stop race around the world. It starts from Les Sables d’Olonne France ,passing through five great capes and ends at  Les Sables d’Olonne