<p>Mumbai: Marking a new milestone in India’s maritime and military history, an all-women team of officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force returned to Mumbai on Wednesday after successfully completing a pioneering international sailing expedition to Seychelles and back. </p><p>The Tri-Services All-Women Sailing Expedition, launched on April 7, 2025, covered a total distance of 3,600 nautical miles over nearly 55 days at sea.</p><p>The expedition serves as a preparatory phase for an even more ambitious circumnavigation sailing expedition planned for 2026.</p><p>The successful expedition was flagged in at INWTC, Mumbai by Lt Gen A K Ramesh, Commandant, College of Military Engineering, who lauded the crew’s achievement and commended their contribution to women-led operational excellence in the armed forces.</p>.<p>This is the first time an all-women crew from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces has undertaken an international sailing voyage, navigating the Mumbai–Seychelles–Mumbai route aboard the Indian Armed Services Vessel (IASV) Triveni. </p><p>The IASV Triveni, is a 50-foot sailing yacht made of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) and equipped with modern navigation and communication systems. Designed and built indigenously in India, Triveni features a main sail area of approximately 1500 square feet, multiple auxiliary sails including Genoa and Spinnaker, Satellite communication, GPS, and AIS systems, endurance for nearly 60 days of continuous sailing.</p><p>The crew of 11 women officers, representing the tri-services, faced unpredictable sea states, intermittent tropical squalls, fluctuating monsoon winds, equipment troubleshooting, and long-duration fatigue during the voyage. Yet, armed with extensive training and unshakeable resolve, they persevered, demonstrating exceptional seamanship, teamwork, and resilience under challenging open-sea conditions.</p><p>During their stopover in Seychelles, the crew participated in a series of high-level diplomatic and defense engagements. These included a ceremonial Flag-off event hosted by the Government of Seychelles, Call-on meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Combined Defence Staff of Seychelles, a formal interaction with the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, strengthening bilateral ties in the maritime domain.</p><p>These engagements underscored the expedition’s secondary role as a soft-power initiative, deepening India’s strategic partnership with Seychelles and promoting maritime diplomacy.</p><p>The crew was selected after a rigorous multi-stage selection and training process conducted jointly by the Army Adventure Wing, Indian Navy’s Ocean Sailing Node, and Air Force Adventure Cell. The selection process was as rigorous as it was comprehensive. Out of 41 aspiring candidates, 11 officers were selected after being tested for their physical endurance, psychological resilience, leadership qualities, and sailing aptitude.</p><p>Representing the Indian Army were Lt Col Anuja, Maj Karamjeet, Maj Tanyah, Capt Omita, Capt Dauli, and Capt Prajakta. The Indian Navy was represented by Lieutenant Commander Priyanka, while the Indian Air Force team included Sqn Ldr Vibha, Sqn Ldr Shraddha, Sqn Ldr Aruvi, and Sqn Ldr Vaishali. Their extraordinary journey began at the Army Adventure Nodal Centre for Blue Water Sailing, where they trained under the expert mentorship of Lt Col R Venu, the Officer-in-Charge of the expedition, and seasoned offshore sailors, Lt Col MK Singh and Lt Col Surender Singh.</p><p>This expedition is a powerful symbol of ‘Nari Shakti’ in the Indian Armed Forces, highlighting the increasing role of women in operational and leadership domains. </p><p>It also underscores the spirit of jointness, with seamless cooperation between the three services in training, execution, and support.</p><p>As India charts its course toward greater maritime prowess, this pioneering expedition stands as a beacon of inspiration - not just for the Armed Forces but for the entire nation alike. The successful completion of the voyage is a compelling demonstration of determination, professionalism, and leadership of the women who are now shaping the future of India’s defence and maritime legacy from the frontlines.</p>
<p>Mumbai: Marking a new milestone in India’s maritime and military history, an all-women team of officers from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force returned to Mumbai on Wednesday after successfully completing a pioneering international sailing expedition to Seychelles and back. </p><p>The Tri-Services All-Women Sailing Expedition, launched on April 7, 2025, covered a total distance of 3,600 nautical miles over nearly 55 days at sea.</p><p>The expedition serves as a preparatory phase for an even more ambitious circumnavigation sailing expedition planned for 2026.</p><p>The successful expedition was flagged in at INWTC, Mumbai by Lt Gen A K Ramesh, Commandant, College of Military Engineering, who lauded the crew’s achievement and commended their contribution to women-led operational excellence in the armed forces.</p>.<p>This is the first time an all-women crew from all three services of the Indian Armed Forces has undertaken an international sailing voyage, navigating the Mumbai–Seychelles–Mumbai route aboard the Indian Armed Services Vessel (IASV) Triveni. </p><p>The IASV Triveni, is a 50-foot sailing yacht made of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) and equipped with modern navigation and communication systems. Designed and built indigenously in India, Triveni features a main sail area of approximately 1500 square feet, multiple auxiliary sails including Genoa and Spinnaker, Satellite communication, GPS, and AIS systems, endurance for nearly 60 days of continuous sailing.</p><p>The crew of 11 women officers, representing the tri-services, faced unpredictable sea states, intermittent tropical squalls, fluctuating monsoon winds, equipment troubleshooting, and long-duration fatigue during the voyage. Yet, armed with extensive training and unshakeable resolve, they persevered, demonstrating exceptional seamanship, teamwork, and resilience under challenging open-sea conditions.</p><p>During their stopover in Seychelles, the crew participated in a series of high-level diplomatic and defense engagements. These included a ceremonial Flag-off event hosted by the Government of Seychelles, Call-on meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Combined Defence Staff of Seychelles, a formal interaction with the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, strengthening bilateral ties in the maritime domain.</p><p>These engagements underscored the expedition’s secondary role as a soft-power initiative, deepening India’s strategic partnership with Seychelles and promoting maritime diplomacy.</p><p>The crew was selected after a rigorous multi-stage selection and training process conducted jointly by the Army Adventure Wing, Indian Navy’s Ocean Sailing Node, and Air Force Adventure Cell. The selection process was as rigorous as it was comprehensive. Out of 41 aspiring candidates, 11 officers were selected after being tested for their physical endurance, psychological resilience, leadership qualities, and sailing aptitude.</p><p>Representing the Indian Army were Lt Col Anuja, Maj Karamjeet, Maj Tanyah, Capt Omita, Capt Dauli, and Capt Prajakta. The Indian Navy was represented by Lieutenant Commander Priyanka, while the Indian Air Force team included Sqn Ldr Vibha, Sqn Ldr Shraddha, Sqn Ldr Aruvi, and Sqn Ldr Vaishali. Their extraordinary journey began at the Army Adventure Nodal Centre for Blue Water Sailing, where they trained under the expert mentorship of Lt Col R Venu, the Officer-in-Charge of the expedition, and seasoned offshore sailors, Lt Col MK Singh and Lt Col Surender Singh.</p><p>This expedition is a powerful symbol of ‘Nari Shakti’ in the Indian Armed Forces, highlighting the increasing role of women in operational and leadership domains. </p><p>It also underscores the spirit of jointness, with seamless cooperation between the three services in training, execution, and support.</p><p>As India charts its course toward greater maritime prowess, this pioneering expedition stands as a beacon of inspiration - not just for the Armed Forces but for the entire nation alike. The successful completion of the voyage is a compelling demonstration of determination, professionalism, and leadership of the women who are now shaping the future of India’s defence and maritime legacy from the frontlines.</p>