Hand-stitched Kaundinya, replica of 5th century ship, to sail to Muscat this month

Panaji: INSV Kaundinya, a replica of a 5th-century merchant ship, sailed out of INS Kadamba, the naval base at Karwar, on Saturday. The wooden vessel, stitched by hand on Divar island, is making its eight-day journey to Porbandar, from where it will cast off for a historical maiden voyage to Muscat.

According to the Navy, the maiden expedition to Muscat is slated for the end of Dec. The voyage will follow the ancient trading routes that once ferried spices, ivory, and cotton across the Arabian Sea. “She is expected to take approximately 8-10 days to reach Gujarat. At present, Kaundinya has a crew of 16. The same crew is intended to sail from Porbandar to Oman,” said a Navy spokesperson.

The INSV Kaundinya is a 20m-long wooden yacht stitched and lashed with coconut husk rope, soaked in fish oil and tree sap called kundroos. The sailing vessel was commissioned on May 21 and was inducted into the Navy. Since the induction, the crew undertook several days of sailing as part of the trials post-monsoon. Harbour training included rigging and carpentry by traditional artisans.

Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the PM’s economic advisory council, sailed onboard the INSV Kaundinya during the trials, where he sweated it out as an oarsman with the crew.

“The crew undertook extensive preparations for sailing onboard INSV Kaundinya. They undertook sailing on board the vessel for comprehensive training and trials at sea. Harbour training included rigging and carpentry by traditional artisans,” said the Navy.

It was Sanyal’s idea to have the vessel built after he was inspired by the painting of a 5th-century vessel found on the ancient rock walls of the Ajanta caves. The Navy and the Union ministry of culture jumped on board and roped in Divar-based shipyard Hodi Innovations to build the vessel.

The sailing vessel has 16 crew members who have been trained by the Navy for the historic expedition. The vessel is expected to take 15 days to sail from Porbandar to Oman, but weather conditions will determine the exact duration of the voyage. “No modifications have been made. We have maintained the same traditional setting,” said the spokesperson.