After completing historic 188-day voyage, Indian Navy’s Tarini returns to India

The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini created history as it entered Goa harbour returning to India after successfully completing a 17,000 nm trans-ocean intercontinental voyage in 188 days.

The crew had two women officers who undertook the entire expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back. They are Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A who sailed for all 188 days. Having successfully completed this voyage, they have now set their aim higher as the Navy now wants to send a woman on a solo circumnavigation of the globe.

Other members of the crew included Capt Atool Sinha, Lt Cdr Ashutosh Sharma, Lt Aviral Keshav, Cdr Nikhil Hegde, Cdr MA Zulfikar, Cdr Divya Purohit, and Cdr AC Doke.

Recounting their voyage, the crew said they experienced and enjoyed every moment of it including sailing through a major storm, reading books of past sailing expeditions, spotting dolphins, cooking with dry rations, watching movies, and spending a large part of their time maintaining the sailboat.

Lt. Cdr. Dilna K observed that maintenance of equipment was the most vital activity on board.

The Flag In ceremony to welcome Tarini began with a display of yachting skills by young and promising yachtsmen of the Navy Boys Sports Company. Following this there was a flypast by Chetak, Kamov 31, Hawks, IL 38, Dornier and MiG 29K aircraft.

The six-member crew were received at the INS Mandovi jetty by Pramod Sawant, Goa Chief Minister; Smriti Irani, Union Minister of Women and Child Development; and R. Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff.

Appreciating the efforts of the Tarini crew, especially the two women officers, Irani said such achievements should be recorded for posterity and shared with the entire nation. This she said will inspire youngsters, both boys and girls to join the armed forces and serve the nation with pride and honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Admiral Kumar said: “The achievement of crew in navigating through adverse weather conditions and undertaking in-house repairs whenever needed are shining examples of innovation and ingenuity which our countrymen possess.”