Navy women on-board INSV Tarini successfully reach South Africa
The all-women crew that began its global circumnavigation trip on-board the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini in September 2017 reached South Africa's Cape Town on Friday, reported PTI. With this, the six-member crew marks the last part of its five-leg voyage. Its previous stop-overs have been at Fremantle in Australia, Lyttleton in New Zealand and Port Stanley in Falklands. Read on for more.
First all-women crew from India to circumnavigate the globe
Called Navika Sagar Parikrama, the expedition is the first attempt by an all-women Indian crew to circumnavigate the globe. With this, the Navy aims to break the taboo surrounding Indian women working in challenging environs. Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi skippers the ship, which also has on board Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.
Around the world in seven months
Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off INSV Tarini's voyage from Goa on September 10. So far, the 56-foot indigenously-built sailing vessel has covered 1,75,00 nautical miles. It crossed the equator on September 25, Australia's Cape Leeuwin on November 9 and Chile's Cape Horn on January 19. The vessel is expected to leave Cape Town on March 14 and return to Goa in April.
Emerging victorious despite the challenges
During their passage through the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the women have braved it all — rough seas (waves up to 7 metres high), stormy weather, winds over 60 knots and extremely cold temperature, the Navy said in its official statement.
The crew is also monitoring marine pollution, collating ocean/wave details
Other than facing the daunting task of sailing around the world in extreme weather conditions, the crew has also been monitoring marine pollution and regularly collating, updating meteorological, ocean and wave information to enhance India Meteorological Department's learnings of the weather. During their port halts, the women have also been communicating extensively with the local children to promote ocean sailing and adventure.
