Thaindian News

Mumbai, Jan 10 (IANS) To commemorate the silver jubilee of the first Indian sailing expedition around the world, the Indian Army Adventure Wing Tuesday held a ceremonial sail-in function with the expedition’s original sailing team on the yacht used during the voyage.

The five still serving and six retired officers, who comprised the original team sailed into Mumbai Harbour Tuesday, duly escorted by many sail boats of the yachting fraternity at Mumbai.

“The Indian Army Adventure Wing is already planning for yet another, more challenging ‘All Arms Adventure Sailing Expedition Around the World’ on a new yacht where they will attempt to cross Cape Horn at the tip of South America later this year,” an official said.

“This is indeed a befitting recognition of the silver jubilee year of the Army Adventure Wing as well,” he added.

On Jan 10, 1987 a small 37 feet sailing yacht named ‘Trishna’ touched the Gateway of India at Mumbai after 470 days of sailing around the globe, covering 30,000 nautical miles (54,000 km).

“The event was unique for more than one reason. The feat was the first-of-its-kind by Indians. What made it more unique was that it was by a team of Indian Army officers from the Corps of Engineers,” the official said.

The expedition had set sail from Mumbai on Sep 28, 1985. The team comprised 10 officers. While four of them were permanent crew members, six were changed at different ports across the globe.