Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, onboard INSV Tarini successfully passed through Point Nemo at 0030 hours on Jan 30, while sailing from Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, during the third leg of Navika Sagar Parikrama II.
Navika Sagar Parikrama
Expedition
- Navika Sagar Parikrama: Indian Navy’s maritime expedition for global circumnavigation in a sailboat crewed by women officers.
- Symbolizes women’s empowerment and Indian maritime traditions.
Objective
- Promotes women’s empowerment, gender equality, oceanic research, and Indian maritime heritage.
Navika Sagar Parikrama-I
First Edition (2017-2018)
- Started: September 10, 2017, with six women officers aboard INSV Tarini.
- Completed: May 21, 2018.
Navika Sagar Parikrama-II
Second Edition (2024-2025)
- Launched: October 2, 2024.
- Participants: Indian Navy officers Commander Dilna K. and Lt. Commander Roopa A.
- Route: Sailing from Lyttelton Port, New Zealand, to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.
Agencies Involved
- Indian Navy: Leading the mission.
- National Institute of Oceanography (NIO): Research on microplastics & ferrous content.
- Wildlife Institute of India (WII): Study of large sea mammals.
- Sagar Defence: Providing drones for documentation.
- Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL): Supplying nutritious meals.
- Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF) & Piramal Foundation: Supporting logistics & research.
INSV Tarini
- INSV Tarini: An Indian Navy sailing vessel (INSV) used for oceanic expeditions.
- Role: Used for the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II mission to sail around the world.
- Previous Missions: Participated in the first Navika Sagar Parikrama (2017-18), an all-women circumnavigation mission.
- Capabilities: Equipped for long-distance sailing and research purposes.
Nemo Point – The Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility
- Location: South Pacific Ocean.
- Distance from Land: 2,688 km away from the nearest landmass, making it the most remote point on Earth.
- Challenges: Extreme isolation, no direct human settlements, and rough oceanic conditions.
Scientific Contributions of the Mission
- Water Sample Collection: Samples taken from Point Nemo will be analyzed by the National Institute of Oceanography.
- Research Areas:
- Marine Biodiversity: Studying microorganisms and species in the region.
- Chemical Composition: Identifying oceanic pollutants and salinity levels.
- Climate Impact Studies: Contributing to global oceanographic research.
Significance of the Mission
- Enhances India’s presence in global maritime exploration.
- Encourages women’s participation in naval and scientific missions.
- Strengthens oceanographic research capabilities.
- Supports global efforts in studying marine ecosystems and climate change.
