Navy is looking to pave the way for a circumnavigation of the globe by an all-woman crew whose member officers are to be trained aboard INS Mhadei, the first Indian solo circumnavigator, as it participates in the 'Cape2Rio Yachting Race' 2014.
Navy today said that one lady officer would be part of the crew for each leg of the voyage. Thus, when INS Mhadei returns to Goa, it would have trained three lady officers.
"These lady officers will form the core of a prospective all-woman crew for circumnavigation of the globe. A subsequent solo circumnavigation of the globe by a lady officer is also being planned," the Navy said in a statement.
The race, which has over 30 boats participating in it, began in Cape Town, South Africa, and will terminate in Rio de Janerio in Brazil.
Mhadei set sail from Goa on November 25 last year and arrived in Cape Town on December 27, travelling over 5,000 miles, Navy said.
The vessel been part of two solo circumnavigations, first in 2009-10 under Commander Dilip Dhonde and, then, non-stop in 2012-13 under Lieutenant Commander Abhilash Tomy.
Skippered by Commander Dhonde, Mhadei's crew has three other members - Commander MVV Satish, the trainee skipper, Commander TGS Bedi and lady officer Lieutenant Commander Shweta Kapur.
