Indian Navy Chief Flags Off Navika Sagar Parikrama II from Goa
Panaji (Goa), October 2: Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi flagged off the second Navika Sagar Parikrama expedition from Goa. This event is a significant milestone in Naval Ocean sailing history as it marks the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe on board a sailing vessel, INSV Tarini, steered by Indian women in double-handed mode.
The expedition showcases India’s maritime prowess and the Indian Navy’s commitment to excellence and women empowerment. The flag-off ceremony was attended by Southern Naval Commander Vice Adm Arti Sarin, DG AFMS, other senior officers, civilian dignitaries, and enthusiastic members from the Naval community.
A special chart commemorating the expedition was released by Chief of Navy Staff (CNS) Tripathi. He also took a walk around the boat and interacted with the crew before they set off.
In his address, CNS Tripathi highlighted the Navika Sagar Parikrama as a significant step in fostering maritime consciousness and embodying the spirit of a strong and capable India. He acknowledged the visionary foresight of Late Vice Admiral MP Swati and the contributions of Captain Dilip Donde, Cdr Abhilash Tomy, and the first Navika Sagar Parikrama.
The CNS praised the mentors, instructors, and family members of the crew for their support. He wished the crew fair winds and following seas as they embarked on their journey around the globe.
Navika Sagar Parikrama II will cover more than 21,600 nautical miles in five legs with stopovers at four ports for replenishment and maintenance. The voyage will take them from Goa to Fremantle, Australia, then to Lyttleton, New Zealand, Port Stanley, Falkland, Cape Town, South Africa, and back to Goa.
INSV Tarini, a 56-foot sailing vessel built by Aquarius Shipyard Ltd, was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2017. The vessel has clocked more than 66,000 nautical miles and participated in the first Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017. It is equipped with advanced navigation, safety, and communication equipment and has undergone recent maintenance and upgrades.
The officers have trained rigorously for this voyage, accumulating 38,000 nautical miles of sailing experience. They have been trained in ocean sailing, seamanship, meteorology, navigation, survival techniques, and medicare at sea. Under the mentorship of Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd) since August 2023, they have fine-tuned their skills and are ready to face the challenges at sea.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Navy Chief -: The Indian Navy Chief is the top officer in charge of the Indian Navy, which is the part of India’s military that operates at sea.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi -: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is the name of the current top officer in the Indian Navy.
Navika Sagar Parikrama -: Navika Sagar Parikrama is a special journey where sailors travel all around the world by sea.
Goa -: Goa is a state in India known for its beautiful beaches and is located on the western coast of the country.
INSV Tarini -: INSV Tarini is the name of the Indian Navy’s sailing ship used for long sea journeys.
circumnavigation -: Circumnavigation means traveling all the way around the world.
double-handed mode -: Double-handed mode means that only two people are sailing the ship at a time.
maritime prowess -: Maritime prowess means being very skilled and strong in activities related to the sea.
women empowerment -: Women empowerment means giving women more power and opportunities to do important things.
nautical miles -: Nautical miles are a way to measure distance at sea, similar to kilometers on land.
ports -: Ports are places where ships can stop to load or unload goods and where people can get on or off the ship.
crew -: The crew is the group of people who work together to sail the ship.