Naval Officers Compete for Solo Circumnavigation

Lt. Cdr. K. Dilna from Kozhikode, Kerala, and Lt. Cdr. Roopa Alagirisamy from Puducherry are in intense training under Abhilash Tomy’s mentorship. After nearly a year, one of them will be selected for a solo voyage around the world.

Lt. Cdr. Roopa feels compelled by this rare opportunity and is eager to embrace the challenge. For Lt. Cdr. Dilna, the sea makes no distinction between genders, and she instinctively seized this long-awaited moment without hesitation.

The two women officers engage in a friendly rivalry, each aspiring to become the first Indian woman to achieve solo circumnavigation. The Indian Navy previously sent a six-women crew for the Navika Sagar Parikrama in 2017. Now, Lt. Cdr. Dilna and Lt. Cdr. Roopa have been shortlisted for the solo voyage as part of an even bolder plan.

Despite only two years of experience, their sailing prowess is impressive, having covered over 21,800 nautical miles, comparable to the Navika Sagar Parikrama distance. They recently completed a trans-Atlantic crossing as part of a six-member crew.

Stationed at the Ocean Sailing Node in Goa, they aim to break stereotypes and encourage more women to pursue adventurous sports. Lt. Cdr. Roopa sees it as an opportunity for women to excel and showcase their problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

While they acknowledge the challenges of solo sailing, the rewards are equally fulfilling. Keeping the boat safe on the ocean, where help may be days away, is a significant challenge. Weather changes and disrupted sleep patterns impact decision-making and well-being.

They draw inspiration from pioneers such as Captain Dilip Donde, and Lieutenant Commander Roopa is motivated by individuals like Kalpana Chawla, who she regards as her role model and aspires to become an “oceanic astronaut.”
–Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hindu