Navika Sagar Parikrama II

Navika Sagar Parikrama II (lit. 'Sailors' Sea Circumambulation') or Navika Sagar Parikrama 2 is an ambitious circumnavigation of the globe by two female officers of the Indian Navy. Unlike the previous edition that had a six-woman crew, this time only two women will attempt to circumnavigate the globe. They are Indian Navy women officers Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K, who will undertake the journey onboard INSV Tarini. The duo have been preparing themselves for this expedition for the last three years. The two officers were previously part of the six-member crew that had participated in trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back in 2023. Then the two women officers undertook a sailing expedition from Goa to Sri Vijaya Puram (earlier Port Blair) and back in double-handed mode. They further honed their skill by successfully undertaking a sortie from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius, again in dual-handed mode, early in 2024. The two women officers have received their training and mentoring under various Indian Navy offers who have circumnavigated the globe, including ace circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race competitor, Cdr Abhilash Tomy. Note that Indian Navy has been making efforts to enhance its ocean sailing skills through Sail Training Ships INS Tarangini and INS Sudarshini and circumnavigation onboard INSV Mhadei and INSV Tarini.

The circumnavigation was flagged-off on 2 October 2024, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi near Panaji,Gosa by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy. The two women officers plan to sail on INSV Tarini for around eight months covering around 23,400 nautical miles and returning by May 2025. Navika Sagar Parikrama II is set to contribute towards boosting scientific research in collaboration with National Institute of Oceanography for study on marine microplastics and ferrous content in the seas, Wildlife Institute of India for exploration on Mega Faunas or large sea mammals, and Defence Food Research Laboratory towards providing customized precooked Indian meals. Sagar Defense in to provide drones to capture visual of the entire voyage. The expedition will follow the same route as the previous edition and move from Goa to Fremantle, Australia, and then to Lyttelton, New Zealand from there to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, and lastly to Cape Town, South Africa, before returning to Panaji, Goa.

Significance

The latest voyage takes forward the legacy of Navika Sagar Parikrama. Signifying the importance of this historic event in maritime calendar, the Indian Navy has also unveiled the logo for the expedition. The logo has octagonal shape in the centre depicting the Indian Navy, while the sun signifies a celestial body and the compass, guiding the sailors through the challenging seas.

The sailboat making its way through the vastness of the ocean symbolizes the spirit of adventure and the resilience of the voyagers. The two women double-handed crew of the expedition is a testament to the Indian Navy's commitment to fostering gender equality and excellence.The logo was unveiled on 16 September 2024.

The circumnavigation of INSV Tarini will be a significant step forward in India's ocean sailing enterprise and maritime endeavours, showcasing the nation's growing prominence in global maritime activities and gender equality on the high seas. Goal of this mission is to promote seamanship, maritime heritage, and gender equality through a challenging circumnavigation of the globe. The blue water expedition is set to be an arduous test of the skills, physical endurance, and mental fortitude of the two crew members.

Crew

While Navika Sagar Parikrama I (2017-18) had a six-member all women crew, this time around Navika Sagar Parikrama II will have just two-member women crew who will circumnavigate the globe in double-handed mode. The two crew trained for three years clocking 38,000 nautical miles, handling the sailing vessel INSV Tarini all by themselves, accumulating thousands of nautical miles in experience. The two women officers will become the first from India to accomplish such a feat in double-handed mode. They are:

• Lt Cdr Roopa A is from Pondicherry. She joined the Indian Navy in June 2017. Her father is G. P. Alagirisamy, who served in the Indian Air Force.

• Lt Cdr Dilna K is from Kozhikode, Kerala. Commissioned into Indian Navy in June 2014, her father is late Devadasan, who served in the Indian Army.

First stop

INSV Tarini attempting to circumnavigate the globe by retracing the route of the circumnavigation by the previous edition entered the port of Fremantle in Western Australia on November 9, 2024 after a 39-day voyage of 4,900 nautical miles. It's the first port of call in the Navika Sagar Parikrama II. On its way from starting in Panaji, Goa on October 2, 2024; INSV Tarini faced various weather conditions, from calm seas to fierce winds, with wave heights classified as “sea state 6” on the Beaufort scale. The expedition with Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A onboard the boat, crossed Equator on October 16 and Tropic of Capricorn on October 27, 2024. On arrival, INSV Tarini was received by an enthusiastic crowd, including the Consul General of India in Perth, the Defence Advisor from Canberra, and representatives from both the Indian Navy Sailing Association (INSA) and the Royal Australian Navy. The welcoming committee also included Indian Navy veterans living in Australia and members of the media.

Adding to the cultural significance, the Tamil Association of Western Australia performed traditional music with the Parai Drum and Kombu Tharai drum, offering a taste of India’s vibrant cultural heritage. Through Navika Sagar Parikrama II, India is celebrating its women officers and promoting sustainability, diplomacy, and global maritime engagement. This latest expedition is an emblem of gender equality, environmental sustainability, and maritime cooperation. The progress of the expedition has been closely followed by the Navy Chief, who has been receiving daily updates. After a brief halt, the crew is expected to start the second leg of expedition to New Zealand around November 24, 2024. The two-member crew of INSV Tarini, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A was felicitated in a ceremony organized by Western Australia's Parliament, where members praised their effort.

Second stop

Following the same route as the previous edition; INSV Tarini, arrived at Lyttelton Harbour, near Christchurch, New Zealand, on 23 December 2024 instead of the scheduled arrival on 16 December 2024. This is the second stop for the vessel, after its first stop at Perth, Australia. The 2 member crew covered a challenging journey of 6,500 kms or 3,400 nautical miles from Perth to Lyttelton in 28 days, navigating through rough seas, strong winds, and high waves. Crew members Lt. Cdr. Dilna K and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A, upon arrival were warmly welcomed at the harbour by representatives of the Indian High Commission in Wellington, the Royal New Zealand Navy and members of the local Maori community. The second leg of circumnavigation involved crossing of Cape Leeuwin, the Great Australian Bight, Tasmania, and the South Island of New Zealand. The Indian Navy is closely monitoring the journey receiving daily updates. The 2 member crew is expected to carry out a systems check of the vessel in Lyttelton on 16 December, making any repairs if necessary. All necessary provisions will also be stocked up for the next leg of the journey to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

A community interaction with locals and the 2 crew members is also scheduled during their stay in Lyttelton. After celebrating the New Year in New Zealand the duo left for the longest and most challenging leg of their journey to reach Falkland Islands as their third stop on 4 January 2025. On 9 January 2025 the duo crossed the International Date Line or IDL, marking significant milestone in their circumnavigation. On crossing the IDL the duo adjusted their clocks to account for the date change, that symbolised blending of two consecutive calendar days.

Third stop

INSV Tarini on its way to 3rd stop at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands has crossed the treacherous Cape Horn located at the southern tip of South America, on 15 February 2025. On its way, the sail boat Tarini passed through the Drake Passage, a treacherous waterway known for its extreme winds, towering waves and unpredictable weather. The boat reached its next stop at Port Stanley few days later after crossing Cape Horn on 18 February 2025, showcasing the resilience, courage, and skill of the Indian Navy’s women officers. During this phase after leaving Lyttelton Harbour while trying to reach the 3rd stop or destination just off the continent of South America, the vessel experienced three cyclones, passed through Point Nemo, known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility on January 30, 2025, thus completing the third and most challenging phase of the epic journey. Ons occasion of International Women’s Day, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with the crew members onboard the INSV Tarini, commending the courage, dedication, and resilience of the crew members, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A. The crew is on the 4th leg of its journey and intends to reach the next stop of Cape Town, South Africa by April 1, 2025.