Indian Navy’s women officers about to reach home after circumnavigating the globe
voyage.”
INSV Tarini being a small sailboat, speaking to the other team members onboard was not difficult. Excited about completing their record setting journey, Lt S. Vijaya Devi, who belongs to Manipur said, “The thought of creating history gives me pride in what I do. I am thankful to Indian Navy that I got this opportunity to prove myself. I am really excited about reaching our motherland after eight months. There is no place like home and I am happy thinking that I will be together with my loved ones once again.”
These six Indian Navy women officers are about to complete a 21,600-nautical mile (approximately 40,000 km) journey. The expedition—which was spread over six different phases, sailed across four continents, three oceans, passed south of the capes and crossed the equator twice over the last eight months— was full of challenges. Describing one such moment, another team member, Lt Cdr Pratibha Jamwal said, “Weather has always been the biggest challenge. Wind is a necessary evil for us. Just before crossing Cape Horn, which is also known as the Everest of seafarers, we encountered a storm, which brought winds of 140 KMPH and wave height of 10 metres. It was raining heavily. The entire team was up for 24 hours. While two of us would sit near the wheel trying to steer the boat, another one would be on standby, while the rest tried to dry clothes and heat some water to keep the ones outside warm. It was freezing cold and raining continuously. That day I saw real team spirit, which gave me a sense of pride for being a part of the team.”
During these eight months, the team made five stopovers at five ports in five different countries and spoke on several foreign forums. The Indians living in these countries were present in large numbers to welcome them.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba is proud of the Navika Sagar Parikrama team. “These officers have proved beyond doubt that they are second to none and are ready to face any challenges anywhere. Standing a watch at sea is an art and science. Needs a lot of knowledge and experience. These young officers have experienced it all during these eight months and faced the vagaries of nature, from cyclonic winds to braving the huge waves to nil wind conditions...Very proud of them. I am sure they would turn out to be role models for the younger generation and be an inspiration at the same time,” said the Indian Navy Chief.