News Desk
In a remarkable feat of endurance and seamanship, two Indian Navy officers, Lt. Cdr. Roopa A and Lt. Cdr. Dilna K, are set to return to Goa, India, on May 29, concluding an eight-month circumnavigation of the globe aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. The duo, affectionately dubbed “DilRoo,” embarked on their ambitious Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition on October 2, 2024, covering approximately 50,000 kilometers across four continents, three oceans, and three of the world’s most formidable capes—Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope. Their journey, powered solely by sails and wind, stands as a testament to human grit and a powerful symbol of women’s contributions to maritime excellence.
The Navika Sagar Parikrama, an initiative by the Indian Navy to promote ocean sailing and women’s empowerment, follows the success of its first edition in 2017-18, when a crew of six women officers completed a similar global voyage. This second expedition, undertaken by just two officers, underscores the Navy’s confidence in its personnel and its commitment to breaking barriers. Aboard the 56-foot sloop Tarini—a vessel dwarfed by the Navy’s 932-foot flagship INS Vikramaditya—the officers navigated treacherous waters, including the notorious Drake Passage near Cape Horn, known for its towering waves and gale-force winds.
The journey was far from smooth. The third leg, from Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, proved particularly grueling, with the crew enduring three cyclones, winds reaching 95 kilometers per hour, and waves exceeding five meters in Sea State 5 conditions—the roughest category. Their successful crossing of Cape Horn, situated just 800 kilometers from Antarctica, earned them the prestigious title of “Cape Horners,” a rare honor bestowed upon sailors who conquer this perilous passage under sail. “In persistent rains and extreme conditions, Lt. Cdr. Dilna K and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A have etched their names in history,” the Indian Navy posted on X, celebrating their triumph.
Beyond their navigational feats, the officers contributed to scientific efforts, collecting meteorological, ocean, and wave data to aid weather forecasting by India’s National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and the Indian Meteorological Department. They also documented marine pollution, highlighting environmental challenges on the high seas. Their voyage included port calls in Fremantle, Australia; Lyttelton, New Zealand; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Cape Town, South Africa; and Mauritius, where they engaged in diplomatic and outreach activities. In a notable honor, the Western Australian Parliament in Canberra welcomed them as special invitees in November 2024, recognizing their achievements as a beacon of maritime prowess and gender equality.
The INSV Tarini, built at Goa’s Aquarius Shipyard and commissioned in 2017, is designed for extreme conditions, with a wood-core and fiberglass hull, satellite communications, and a Raymarine navigation suite. Despite its modest size, the vessel proved a reliable companion through the Southern Ocean’s unforgiving waters. The expedition, guided by lessons from the first circumnavigation led by Capt. Dilip Donde in 2009-10, showcased India’s growing expertise in ocean sailing.
Throughout their journey, the officers received encouragement from India’s leadership. On the eve of International Women’s Day, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh praised their milestone, emphasizing the expanding role of women in India’s defense sector. Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Dinesh K. Tripathi also lauded their professionalism and teamwork, calling the expedition a defining chapter in India’s maritime history.
As DilRoo prepares to dock in Goa, their voyage resonates far beyond the shores of India. It is a story of resilience, skill, and the quiet power of women charting new horizons on the high seas. Their triumph over nature’s fiercest challenges serves as an inspiration, proving that determination and expertise can conquer even the most daunting frontiers.
