Navika Sagar Parikrama II: Women Officers of Indian Navy Arrive in Cape Town

Synopsis

The Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, led by two Indian Navy women officers, has reached Cape Town, South Africa. The voyage, covering 23,400 nautical miles, aims to inspire women and strengthen maritime ties between India and South Africa.

Key Takeaways

Navika Sagar Parikrama II is a significant expedition.
Women officers are leading the mission.
INSV Tarini is an indigenously built vessel.
The expedition promotes women’s empowerment.
Strengthening maritime relations with South Africa.

Delhi, April 1 (NationPress) Navika Sagar Parikrama II, an expedition led by two women officers of the Indian Navy, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A, has successfully arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, on Monday. The officers are navigating aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini as part of their mission to circumnavigate the globe.

The expedition is set to cover more than 23,400 nautical miles (roughly 43,300 kilometers) over the course of eight months. With their arrival in Cape Town, the crew has successfully completed the fourth leg of their journey.

Upon reaching Cape Town, the vessel and crew were greeted by Ruby Jaspreet, the Consul General of India, Rear Admiral (JG) Lisa Hendricks, the Chief of Staff of the South African Navy Fleet, and Captain Atul Sapahia, the Defence Adviser of India in Pretoria. The South African Naval Band performed a special presentation to celebrate their arrival.

INSV Tarini is scheduled to set sail from Cape Town on April 15, following a two-week stay at the Royal Cape Yacht Club for necessary maintenance and repairs. During this time, the crew will engage with the South African Navy at Simon’s Town Naval Base and Gordon’s Bay Naval College, and community outreach programs are also planned.

The Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition was officially launched by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, on October 2, 2024, from Goa. This journey includes planned stops in Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), and Port Stanley (Falklands, UK), with an anticipated return to Goa in May 2025.

The voyage has posed significant challenges, with the crew facing rough seas, extremely cold temperatures, stormy conditions, winds exceeding 50 knots (93 km/h), and waves reaching heights of 7 meters (23 feet). INSV Tarini, a 56-foot indigenously constructed sailing vessel, was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2018 and has participated in multiple such expeditions, showcasing India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.

Navika Sagar Parikrama II promotes women’s empowerment within the Indian Armed Forces and aims to inspire young women to pursue careers in the military, particularly in the Indian Navy. This expedition also emphasizes the advancement of marine and scientific research.

The stop in Cape Town signifies the strengthening maritime relations between India and South Africa. India is dedicated to enhancing maritime cooperation with allied nations in the Indian Ocean Region. Recent activities featured the Indian Naval Ship Talwar’s participation in the 8th edition of Exercise IBSAMAR in South Africa in October 2024, while the stealth frigate INS Tushil made a port call at Durban in January 2025, furthering naval collaboration and community engagement.

Such missions and interactions are essential for improving maritime security and cooperation, effectively tackling shared challenges in the region while promoting best practices for safe and secure seas.