An all-women sailing crew of the Indian Navy on Tuesday sailed for Mauritius, where they will undergo a rigorous training programme in preparation for a first-ever all-women circumnavigation voyage planned next year, an Indian Navy spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The crew was formally bid farewell at the naval base INS Mandovi here by senior naval officials including Rear Admiral K.K. Pandey.
"It is an acid test for all women crew in their preparation for circumnavigation voyage planned next year. The most challenging phase of the voyage would be on the return leg with the full force of south-west monsoon and high wind speed rocking the boat," Pandey said while flagging-off the sailing vessel.
The sail boat and its crew is expected to return to INS Mandovi from the training stint at Mauritius in mid July.
--IANS
maya/vd