In a significant achievement in maritime exploration, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, aboard INSV Tarini, successfully crossed Point Nemo at 0030 hours IST on January 30. According to the Indian Navy, this crossing took place during the third leg of their journey from Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands as part of Navika Sagar Parikrama II.
Point Nemo, located at coordinates 48°53′S 123°24′W, is known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility—the most remote location on Earth. This isolated point in the South Pacific lies approximately 2,688 kilometers from the nearest landmass. Its remoteness is so extreme that the closest human presence is often aboard the International Space Station orbiting above.
Interestingly, Point Nemo also serves as a spacecraft graveyard, where decommissioned satellites and space stations are intentionally directed to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and fall into the ocean, reducing risks to human populations.
Point Nemo, the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility and the most remote location on Earth
The Spanish research vessel Hespérides was the first to sail through Point Nemo in 1999. Since then, only a few vessels have passed through this remote location. INSV Tarini added to this elite list, achieving the feat powered purely by sail, underscoring the crew’s skill and determination.
The Indian Navy stated in a statement that the officers collected water samples from Point Nemo during the crossing. The National Institute of Oceanography will analyze these samples. These samples aim to provide valuable data on oceanic conditions, including marine biodiversity and chemical composition, contributing to global oceanographic research.
Navika Sagar Parikrama II represents India’s women naval officers’ indomitable spirit and commitment to advancing scientific collaboration and oceanic exploration. With this remarkable milestone behind them, the crew continues toward their next destination, Port Stanley, lauded the official statement.
INSV Tarini Crosses Earth’s Most Remote Oceanic Point
Navika Sagar Parikrama II is a groundbreaking circumnavigation of the globe undertaken by two female officers of the Indian Navy. Unlike its previous edition, which featured a six-woman crew, this edition has just two women attempting this extraordinary voyage.
The circumnavigation was officially flagged off at the Naval Ocean Sailing Node, INS Mandovi, near Panaji, Goa, by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, on October 2, 2024. The officers are sailing aboard INSV Tarini for an estimated eight-month journey, covering approximately 23,400 nautical miles. The expedition is expected to conclude by May 2025.
Beyond its symbolic significance, Navika Sagar Parikrama II also aims to contribute to scientific research. The mission underscores the indomitable spirit of India’s naval officers and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of maritime exploration while advancing global scientific collaboration.
Team BharatShakti
