All-Women Crew Completes Historic Circumnavigation Voyage
The INSV Tarini completed a 254-day long circumnavigation voyage making history as the first Indian all-women crew to have completed such a mission
Entering the Goa harbour alongside the INS Mandovi jetty, the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini (INSV Tarini) completed a historic global circumnavigation voyage on May 21. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman received the all-women crew of Tarini at the jetty. She had flagged them off for the voyage on 10 September 2017. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, Vice Admiral Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, AR Karve, senior officers and enthusiastic members from the naval community both serving and retired, as well as civilians were also present at the Naval Boat Pool to welcome INSV Tarini and its crew.
The completion of the global circumnavigation voyage was a memorable moment for the Navika Sagar Parikrama team which included a plethora of naval personnel who worked behind the scenes to make this circumnavigation voyage a success. Ecstatic at the completion of the voyage, the Skipper Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi said “We knew at the very start of this voyage that we had a daunting task ahead. However, the many challenges we encountered brought in a new found strength from within, which we ourselves never knew we were capable of. Our close bonding helped us overcome those difficult times.”
This was the first time that an all-women crew from the Indian Navy completed a globe circumnavigation voyage. Skippering the vessel, Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi was accompanied by her crew — Lieutenant Commander Pratibha Jamwal, Lieutenant Commander P Swathi, Lieutenant S Vijaya Devi, Lieutenant B Aishwarya, and Lieutenant Payal Gupta.
Addressing the attendees, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that she felt honoured and humbled before the crew of INSV Tarini for what they had achieved. She further added, ” The women of this country have shown that it is possible for the youngsters, if they want to do something, that they can indeed do it, by showing commitment, grit and dedication”.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said, “The grit and determination displayed by these young women officers would definitely encourage future generations to take on daunting challenges and strive for success”.
Tarini’s 254-day long voyage covered over 22,000 Nautical miles, visiting — Australia, New Zealand, Falkland Islands (UK), South Africa and Mauritius. The crew received a rousing welcome from both the Indian diaspora and the local communities at each of these countries. Tarini met all the criteria of circumnavigation i.e crossing the Equator twice, crossing all Longitudes, as also the three great capes (Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope). The expedition was covered in six legs, with halts at 5 ports: Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), Cape Town (South Africa) and Port Louis (Mauritius).
The INSV Tarini is an indigenously-built,56-foot sailing vessel that was inducted in the Indian Navy in February 2017. The vessel has showcased the ‘Make in India’ initiative on the international forum.
Running in line with the National women’s empowerment policy, the Navika Sagar Parikrama has showcased true empowerment on the world platform and has helped change societal mindsets and attitudes.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) collated and updated the crew on meteorological, ocean, and wave data on a regular basis for an accurate weather forecast. IMD also monitored and reported marine pollution of the high seas. The crew interacted extensively with the local communities during port halts promoting ocean sailing and the spirit of adventure.
A senior naval officer said, “The women officers have done the country proud not only in showing the Indian Flag at distant shores but also in demonstrating the seafaring capability of Indian women.”
The women officers will be proceeding to New Delhi shortly, where they will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi