In a momentous feat of endurance and seamanship, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A have etched their names in history by successfully crossing Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of South America, while sailing onboard INSV Tarini. The crossing marks a crucial milestone in the third leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition, an initiative aimed at promoting women’s participation in ocean sailing.

The officers undertook this formidable challenge in exceptionally harsh conditions, battling persistent rainfall, Sea State 5, powerful winds reaching 40 knots (~75 kmph), and waves towering over five metres. Their passage took them through the Drake Passage, one of the most perilous maritime routes in the world. This treacherous waterway, notorious for its extreme winds, towering swells, and unpredictable weather, has historically tested even the most seasoned mariners.