Navy building all-women sailing team for circumnavigation

The Indian Navy is in the process of putting together an all-women's team to circumnavigate the globe on a non-motorised sailboat later this year, to promote the spirit of adventure, it was announced here today.
"We are planning a women's expedition later this year, which will have two to three volunteers from among our ranks," Commander-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra told reporters here today evening.
He was speaking after at a book release by Commander Dilip Donde, 'The First Indian: Story of the First Indian Solo Circumnavigation Under Sail'.
Commander Donde had circumnavigated the globe in 2009-10 on a specially-built vessel INSV Mhadei, becoming the first Indian to achieve the feat. Commander Abhilash Tomy followed this up with a non-stop, unassisted solo circumnavigation last year.

Vice-Admiral Chopra said the same boat, the INSV Mhadei, would be used for the all-women expedition, which should take around six months to complete.
The Navy plans to follow up the women's team sailing expedition with a solo sailing expedition by a female officer, like the one by Commander Donde and Commander Tomy, he said.

Commander Donde said that he has trained three skippers, including a woman officer, to sail on INSV Mhadei and also expressed his willingness to train more people.
However, he clarified that this is a voluntary assignment and the drive should come from within to take up such a challenge.

The Navy would also lay greater stress on more civilians adopting the activity and work with hobby groups to deepen awareness as well as participation in the sport of sailing, Vice-Admiral Chopra said.
Commander Donde said civilians interested in such a sport would have to be backed by corporates to make these audacious feats happen.