India’s first all-woman navy crew has entered the third leg of their circumnavigation tour. On Wednesday (Dec 13), the six crew members set sail from Lyttelton port in New Zealand.
The voyage around the globe are just two more stops away.
The six female officers are aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, INSV Tarini, on a circumnavigation effort, thus creating maritime history. So far, they have made two halts since the beginning their five-leg expedition.
The women’s crew is led by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi. The team will make their next stopover at Port Stanley, Falklands, and will finish the tour with the last stop at Cape Town, South Africa.
READ: Sisters are doin’ it for themselves: Meet India’s all-woman crews
Before the team set sail, the new Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off the 55-ft INSV Tarini from the INS Mandovi naval training base in Goa in September.
The team comprises Tarini’s skipper, Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi, and crew, Lt. Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.
The Indian naval sailing vessel had reached Lyttelton early last month after their first stop at Fremantle, Australia. They are now moving towards Port Stanley, Falklands, the Indian Navy said in a statement.
Before leaving for the voyage, the crew had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“It is going to boost the spirits of everybody across the country. Not just women, but it can also be an inspiration for the male counterparts. Our aim is to rekindle the spirit of adventure,” Lieutenant Commander Joshi said
The crew was welcomed to Lyttelton by Deputy Mayor of Christchurch, Andrew Turner. MP from Christchurch Central, Duncan Webb, also visited the vessel to welcome the crew. The National Council of Women of New Zealand also warmly hosted the crew for an interaction.
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ALSO READ: All-Women Navy Crew Ready For Cape To Rio Yacht Race
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