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3 cyclones, 4 continents, 50,000 km: How 2 Indian Navy women officers completed historic voyage
Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K will arrive in Goa. Image: Indian Navy
Two women officers of the Indian Navy have completed a historic journey across the world's three largest oceans, braving rough seas, cyclones, and some of the most remote maritime regions.
The Indian Navy is preparing to welcome the crew of 'Navika Sagar Parikrama', who travelled aboard INSV Tarini.
Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K are expected to arrive in Goa on Thursday (May 29, 2025).
Notably, INSV Tarini began its expedition from Goa on October 2 last year. The mission aimed to sail around the globe without any external support, using only wind power.
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In this explainer, we look at who the two Navy officers are, how they tackled storms and harsh weather, and how they travelled across four continents over eight months.
Let's take a look:
Two women officers of Indian Navy and the mission: All you need to know
Over eight months, two Indian Navy officers, often referred to as '#DilRoo', sailed 25,400 nautical miles (around 50,000 km) across four continents, three oceans and three Great Capes.
Relying only on sails and wind, they faced tough sea conditions and extreme weather throughout the journey.
Lieutenant Commander Roopa A and Lieutenant Commander Dilna K, aboard INSV Tarini, are set to return to Goa on Thursday.
#NavikaSagarParikrama_II#IndianNavy's expedition of circumnavigating the globe by two women officers - Lt Cdr Dilna & Lt Cdr Roopa onboard #INSVTarini.
Flagged off from Goa on #02Oct 24 by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi #CNS. Watch The Journey So Far ⬇️
177 Days - 19400 nm (36000 km)… pic.twitter.com/FDAKvIAfIn — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 28, 2025
This will mark the completion of the second edition of the Navy's Navika Sagar Parikrama, a landmark voyage, and the first time Indian women have circumnavigated the globe in a two-member crew.
The journey began on October 2 last year from the Naval Ocean Sailing Node in Goa.
The Navy confirmed that the expedition followed all international rules for circumnavigation, which include crossing every meridian and returning to the original starting point.
In a press note, the Indian Navy said, 'The expedition symbolises India's maritime endeavours, showcasing the nation's prominence in global maritime activities and Indian Navy's commitment to excellence and Nari Shakti signifying the motto 'Courageous Hearts Boundless Seas'.'
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During their voyage, the officers made port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttleton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falkland Islands), and Cape Town (South Africa).
They took part in several outreach and diplomatic activities, meeting with parliamentarians, Indian communities, school children, naval trainees, and university staff in different parts of the world.
They were also invited as special guests to the Western Australian Parliament in honour of their efforts.
Western Australian Parliament felicitated the crew of Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini, which is undertaking a global circumnavigation expedition 'Navika Sagar Parikrama II'. #NavikaSagarParikrama_II@CGIPerth @indiannavy @IndiannavyMedia @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/I98VVbRhmX — India in Australia (@HCICanberra) November 15, 2024
According to the Navy, their achievement has drawn praise from local communities, global sailing organisations and international lawmakers, and stands as a 'beacon of women empowerment, maritime excellence and national pride'.
How the Navy officers battled stormy weather and cyclones
During their journey, the crew dealt with winds reaching up to 50 knots (93 kmph), stormy weather and freezing temperatures.
'It set the ultimate test of human endurance, perseverance and sailing skills,' the Navy said.
While every leg of the trip came with its own hurdles, the third stretch from Lyttleton to Port Stanley proved to be the toughest.
The officers faced three cyclones and crossed the dangerous Drake Passage before rounding the feared Cape Horn.
'The circumnavigation highlights the unwavering spirit, exceptional valour, courage and perseverance of the officers amidst challenging conditions of the sea and nature,' the Navy said in the press release.
The cyclones were encountered near 'Point Nemo', known as the 'Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility', the point in the ocean farthest from any land, according to a report by The Indian Express.
In mid-February, the crew rounded Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, around 800 km from Antarctica, braving continuous rain, fierce winds and waves taller than five metres.
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This earned them the honour of being called 'Cape Horners', which is usually given to sailors who pass Cape Horn under sail.
Notably, INSV Tarini, named after the Tara Tarini temple in Odisha, had earlier completed the first Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017–18, when an all-women crew became the first Indian team to sail around the world.
This expedition is the first time an Indian woman duo has done it without any additional crew.
What next?
The crew's arrival at Mormugao will be marked by a ceremonial reception attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior Navy officials, Ministry of Defence representatives, and the officers' families.
A formal debrief and recognition event will follow in the coming days.
'A sail parade is being planned to welcome the two adventurers on May 29. The sailing fraternity will be there to welcome them,' an official told The Times of India.
In its statement, the Navy said, 'The crew exemplified the spirit of exploration, showcasing seafaring skills at a global stage. It has been a journey of empowerment, innovation and commitment to India's maritime heritage, charting new paths for a brighter and empowered future.'
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We did a sortie to Karwar port where I joined them on the way out and they returned on their own. Then, we sent the boat to Port Blair and back with several stops. And finally, a training sortie from Goa to Mauritius and back on their own. What did you say to the officers before they cast off for the circumnavigation? I gave them a pep talk. I said 'do not tell yourself we are doing a circumnavigation'. I told them you have already sailed to Mauritius, just sail a bit further and you will get to Perth. Perth to Christchurch is a short hop – over 2000 miles. From New Zealand to the Falkland Islands is a tough leg. In the Pacific, I told them I will hand-hold and constantly monitor and guide them. I gave a basic template to follow – catch on to a particular latitude, reach up to a particular longitude and from that point till 'Cape Horn', make a mad rush when there is a weather window. En-route, they faced cyclones and we routed around them. 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