Indian Navy’s first all-women crew sails into Port Louis, Mauritius

Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Mhadei (INSV Mhadei) sailed into Port Louis, Mauritius on Tuesday afternoon with the first all-women crew. 

Mhadei had set sail from Goa for its voyage on 24 May 16 and reached two days later than expected.

Lieutenant commander (Lt Cdr) Vartika Joshi (a Naval Constructor), had steered the boat ashore. 

The first open-ocean voyage of the Navy’s all-women crew comprised of Lt P Swathi, Lt B Aishwarya, Lt Pratibha Jamwal, Lt Vijaya and Lt Payal Gupta.

This journey served as a training for the crew as they are about to undertake a circumnavigation of the globe in 2017.

Mhadei encountered winds of up to 35 knots, sea states up to 5 and a swell of up to 5m during the onward leg from Goa to Mauritius, which the Ministry of Defence stated as having met its training aims.

The 2100 nautical miles voyage was covered by the crew in 20 days passing through rough seas whipped up by the South West Monsoons, the ministry stated in a release.

During their stay, the crew will call on the Hon. President of Mauritius, the Hon. Minister for Gender Equality and Child Development, Govt of Mauritius and various other dignitaries.

The boat will also be open to visitors and school children.

The return journey from Port Louis to Goa is slated to commence on 24 Jun 16.

Mhadei is expected to arrive in Goa in early July 2016.