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In one of the most ambitious yet daring expeditions of all times, 10 women military officers have set sail on a sail boat to circumnavigate the Earth.

Their journey of IASV Triveni  – the Indian Army Sailing Vessel has begun in right earnest on Thursday the 11th of September 2025 from Mumbai.

Over the next nine months these 10 women officers will sail onboard the indigenously-built Triveni on an easterly route covering approximately 26,000 nautical miles.

They will cross the Equator twice, round the three great Capes – Leeuwin, Horn & Good Hope – covering all major oceans and some of the most dangerous waters, including the Southern Ocean & the Drake Passage.

The team will also make four international port calls before returning to Mumbai in May 2026.

Dubbing IASV Triveni, a 50-foot yacht indigenously-built in Puducherry, as an embodiment of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that the vessel reflects India’s confidence in defence innovation and technology.

On the port calls at Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Canada) and Cape Town (South Africa), Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the team’s interactions will be an introduction to the strength of the Armed Forces to the world, along with Indian culture, tradition and values.

IASV Triveni is not only a vessel of endurance, but also a vessel of diplomacy, he said.

The 10-member crew includes Expedition Leader Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, Deputy Expedition Leader Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju, along with Major Karamjeet Kaur, Major Omita Dalvi, Captain Prajakta P Nikam, Captain Dauli Butola, Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain, Wing Commander Vibha Singh, Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev and Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari.

The team has undergone three years of rigorous training, beginning with smaller offshore expeditions on Class B vessels and advancing to IASV Triveni, a Class A yacht acquired in October 2024.

Their preparation included progressively challenging voyages along India’s western seaboard and a landmark international expedition from Mumbai to Seychelles and back earlier this year, which validated their seamanship, endurance, and self-sufficiency.

About Samudra Pradakshina

The circumnavigation will follow the strict norms of the World Sailing Speed Record Council, requiring the crossing of all longitudes, Equator crossings and completion of over 21,600 nautical miles under sail alone, without use of canals or powered transit.

The most formidable phase will be the rounding of Cape Horn in the Southern Ocean during December 2025 – February 2026.

Crossing the Southern Ocean with massive swells, freezing winds, and unpredictable storms is regarded as the ultimate test of seamanship.

Crews typically work in watch systems (Eg: 4 hours on/4 hours off), handling sails, navigation, maintenance, and cooking, while managing sleep deprivation and harsh weather.

During the expedition, the team will also carry out scientific research in collaboration with the National Institute of Oceanography.

This includes study of micro-plastics, documentation of ocean life and raising awareness about marine health.

Background

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (UK) was the first to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation in 1969. In India, Captain Dilip Donde (Retd) completed the first solo circumnavigation (2009–10) and Commander Abhilash Tomy (Retd) was the first Indian to circumnavigate non-stop in 2012–13.

Navika Sagar Parikrama (2017–18) and Navika Sagar Parikrama-II (2024-25) by Indian Navy on INSV Tarini have been previous successful circumnavigation expeditions.