Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his happiness over the “unmatched determination” of the crew of Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini, currently on a mission to circumnavigate the globe.
“Delighted to know. The team of #INSVTarini continues their mission with unmatched determination,” Modi tweeted.
The prime minister had in October conveyed Diwali greetings to the crew through video call and also wished them success in their mission.
Modi had earlier met the crew of INSV Tarini on August 16 this year before they embarked on the 22,100 nautical mile circumnavigation journey.
On Wednesday morning, Tarini entered Lyttelton, New Zealand and was received High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Sanjiv Kohli.
The around eight-month-long journey is being covered in five legs with stop-overs at four ports — Fremantle (Australia), Lyttelton (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands), and Cape Town (South Africa).
The all-women crew is being led by Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi, along with Lt. Commanders Pratibha Jamwal and P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.
The crew has sailed approximately 20,000 Nm onboard INSV Mhadei and Tarini as part of training, which includes two expeditions to Mauritius (in 2016 and 2017) and a voyage from Goa to Cape Town in December 16.
INSV Tarini, a 55 foot sailing vessel has been built by M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd, Goa and was was inducted into the Indian Navy earlier this year.