New Delhi:

In a historical feat, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, aboard INSV Tarini, crossed Cape Horn, located at the southern tip of South America, on Saturday while sailing on the third leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, said an Indian Navy statement.

The passage takes the two sailors through the Drake Passage, which is named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, who confirmed the existence of an open sea route south of South America. It is a treacherous waterway known for its extreme winds, towering waves and unpredictable weather, the statement added.

“Making their successful passage a significant achievement,” it further reads.

In persistent rains, Sea State 5, winds of 40kns (~75 kmph) and waves more than 5 metres, Lt Cdr Dilna K & Lt Cdr Roopa A, recorded their names in the annals of history by successfully crossing the #CapeHorn located at the southern tip of #SouthAmerica, while sailing on the third… pic.twitter.com/N1isyvHGMA

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 15, 2025

The officers have now earned themselves the esteemed title of being the “Cape Horners,” a designation traditionally given to the elite group of seafarers who have successfully navigated Cape Horn under sail.

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Cape Horn is situated just over 800 kilometres (432 nautical miles) from Antarctica, making it one of the closest land points to the icy continent. The journey through this region not only requires exceptional navigational expertise but also resilience to the harsh conditions characteristic of the Southern Ocean.

Navika Sagar Parikrama II represents a continuation of India’s efforts to support scientific exploration and collaboration. As the officers continue their journey, they will progress toward their next destination, further advancing the objectives of the mission.

Last year, Chief of the Naval Staff of India, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, flagged off INSV Tarini for Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition at Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, Goa, on Wednesday.

The first-ever global circumnavigation onboard is to be completed by two women Naval Officers, Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa, marking a significant event.

The historic voyage expedition will be covering four continents, through three Oceans and three challenging Capes in 240 days and travelling 23,400 nautical miles, scripting major milestone in maritime history and showcasing ‘Aatmanirbhar bharat’ initiative.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Two female officers from the Indian Navy touched a new milestone on Thursday as they crossed Point Nemo – the most remote location on Earth – aboard the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini. Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, passed through Point Nemo at 12:30 am IST on Thursday during the third leg of their journey from Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Notably, Point Nemo, located in the South Pacific, is the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility – the most remote location on Earth, situated approximately 2,688 kilometres from the nearest landmass.

This event marks a significant milestone in the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission, a circumnavigation journey undertaken by the two officers as part of India’s naval exploration initiative, the Indian Navy said in a statement, as per ANI. “#INSVTarini charts through the world’s most isolated waters! Lt Cdr Dilna K & Lt Cdr Roopa A cross Point Nemo – the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility. A testament to resilience, courage & the spirit of adventure,” the Indian Navy wrote on X. 

#NavikaSagarParikrama_II#NSPIIUpdates#INSVTarini charts through the world’s most isolated waters!
Lt Cdr Dilna K & Lt Cdr Roopa A cross Point Nemo – the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility. A testament to resilience, courage & the spirit of adventure.
Fair winds & following… pic.twitter.com/CvcEegoAjF

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 30, 2025

During their passage, the two officers collected water samples from the area, which will be analysed by the National Institute of Oceanography. These samples are expected to provide valuable data on oceanic conditions, including marine biodiversity and the chemical composition of the water, contributing to ongoing oceanographic research, the Navy statement said.

Navika Sagar Parikrama II represents a continuation of India’s efforts to support scientific exploration and collaboration. As the officers continue their journey, they will progress toward their next destination, Port Stanley, further advancing the objectives of the mission, it added. 

The two officers from the Indian Navy embarked on a mission to circumnavigate the world on October 2, 2024. They began their journey aboard INVS Tarini from Goa. They reached Lyttelton Port in New Zealand on December 22, completing the second leg of the expedition. The crew then departed from Lyttelton earlier this month for the longest stretch of the journey, heading to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The distance of this leg is about 5,600 nautical miles.

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INSV Tarini’s passage through Point Nemo was achieved entirely under sail, which makes it a noteworthy accomplishment in terms of maritime navigation. The vessel’s crossing through this isolated point highlights the challenges of navigating such remote and difficult waters.

Notably, Point Nemo is known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility. According to ANI, it is one of the most remote locations on Earth, situated approximately 2,688 kilometres from the nearest landmass. Due to its isolation, it is often considered the farthest point from any human habitation.

Point Nemo is a designated area where space agencies intentionally guide decommissioned spacecraft, including satellites and space stations, to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and fall into the ocean to avoid harm to populated areas.