Women’s Transoceanic Naval Expeditions

Context

Lieutenant Commander Dilna K. and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A., Two women officers of the Indian Navy have made history by successfully completing a nearly two-month transoceanic expedition on the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. They are the first women from India to achieve this remarkable feat, showcasing the Indian Navy’s commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime domain.

Details

• Historic Transoceanic Expedition: Lt. Cdr,. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. – the central characters in the book – play significant roles in driving the narrative. The first-ever transoceanic expedition of women officers from the Indian Navy became a reality when Roopa A., and two of her colleagues, sailed for almost 2 months. They sailed on board the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini from Goa to Port Louis in Mauritius, and from there back again to Goa.
• First Women to Achieve This Feat: This was the first time that not one but three women of India received the honour thereby setting an exceptional example for the country. We were not a crew but a team of two transiting the ship and making all the decisions on our own.
• Challenging Journey: The trip was an exceptional challenge, since the trans-oceanic passages were a non-stop series of long runs which were about 2,700 nautical miles. The airmen manned the round-the-clock shift over the Mediterranean Sea that faced extreme exhaustion due to a succession of severe conditions like high winds, rough seas and adverse weather during their return journey that began on March 30.
• Exceptional Seamanship: The Officers’ skills in seamanship, resilience and uncanny know-how came in handy which enabled them steer Tarini to Goa safe and sound.
• Training and Experience: Both riders have more than 25,000 miles of the blue ocean under their belt. They are graduates of a nearly three-year-old program, with routine sorties being part of their training. They had made that 14 hours long journey from Goa to Port Blair and back almost that if it would not be from Goa to Mauritius in November, 2023.
• Empowering Women: This foreign voyage in ships of the Indian Navy comes in the limelight to recognize the Indian Navy for their female empowerment. The Indian Navy is also spearheading ocean sailing excursions for the training of its officers in the discipline with the emphasis on essential maritime tactics, navigation, and ship handling skills.
• Next Mission: The officers are undergoing the preparations for the next historical voyage i.e. Sagar Porikrama IV, scheduled for September this year, on board the INSV Tarini.

Challenges and Achievements

• The officers demonstrated exceptional seamanship and resilience, embodying the spirit of adventure and exploration.
• They have over 25,000 nautical miles to their names and have been training for nearly three years, undertaking regular sorties.
• The expedition was particularly challenging, with each leg of the journey being a continuous voyage of about 2,700 nautical miles without breaks.

Preparation for Sagar Parikrama IV

• The transoceanic expedition was a final test for the two officers, who are potential candidates for the upcoming Sagar Parikrama IV, the Navy’s most ambitious voyage yet.
• Sagar Parikrama IV will see a woman officer sail around the world solo and unassisted, fulfilling a longtime dream of the late VAdm M P Awati, considered the father of Indian circumnavigation missions.
• The expedition is scheduled to commence in September 2024.

INSV Tarini

• INSV Tarini is the voyaging yacht of the Indian Navy which has sailed in various cross boundary expeditions and has also been used as a training tool.
• INSV Tarini is a star of the Indian Navy briefs about girl force level and how women are important in the maritime domain.

Conclusion

The transoceanic expedition led by Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K. and Roopa A. is a powerful symbol of bravery, perseverance, and expertise. Their remarkable journey challenges stereotypes and serves as a source of inspiration for many. It highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q. Which of the following statements is correct about women Navy officers on transoceanic expeditions?

a) Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A. were the first women to sail solo and unassisted around the world.

b) INSV Tarini was the first Indian naval vessel to be commanded by women officers on a transoceanic expedition.

c) Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A. completed a transoceanic expedition from Goa to Port Louis in double-handed mode.

d) The Sagar Parikrama-IV expedition will be the first solo and unassisted circumnavigation of the globe by a woman officer.

Ans – “c”

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