World voyagers: Powered by Navy women duo, Tarini docks at Falkland Islands and prepares for Cape Town

Panaji: Completing three of the five legs of their audacious circumnavigation, the Indian Navy’s two women officers are now preparing for their 7,593km journey to Cape Town in South Africa.

Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A are on a historic 8-month voyage aboard the 17-metre sailing yacht, with the third leg being the longest at 10,400km.

The duo are likely to sail out of Port Stanley in Falkland Islands and chart a course for Cape Town on March 3 or March 4, depending on weather conditions, said naval officials.

The two women — the first Indian duo to attempt to sail around the world — entered Port Stanley in Falkland Islands on Monday, concluding the third and most challenging phase of Navika Sagar Parikrama II.

In Port Stanley, the two officers will interact with the local community, sharing insights about their voyage. They will also replenish food supplies and undertake repairs.

“The Southern Ocean is very remote, so if anything happened on this leg, there is no place for diversion. They had issues with their autopilot, but there is enough duplication, so they could use the second autopilot system,” said Commander Abhilash Tomy (retd).

During their journey from New Zealand to the Falkland Islands, the women sailed through Point Nemo, a spot so remote that the closest human beings could be the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

They also passed through the treacherous waters of Drake Passage before crossing Cape Horn.

In Cape Town, the last halt for the crew before they sail back to Goa, the INSV Tarini will undergo an inspection. The mast and the equipment will undergo safety checks. “From Falklands to Cape Town, the weather systems are going to be similar, but unlike the current leg, they are going north, and in that sense, I am not worried about it,” Tomy said.

“Secondly, the temperatures will get warmer, which will give the crew some comfort. But tactically, you still need to be cautious to avoid storms.”

The INSV Tarini sailed out for the circumnavigation attempt from Goa, crossing the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans.

The crew made stops at Fremantle, Leeuwin, and Falklands as part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama initiative. The initiative underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender empowerment and maritime excellence.


Stay updated with breaking news, bank holidays and upcoming public holidays in march.