Two women officers of the Indian Navy, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, made history on Thursday. They sailed past Point Nemo, the most remote place on Earth, on their ship INSV Tarini.

They reached Point Nemo at 12:30 AM IST while travelling from Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. This was the third part of their long journey around the world.

Point Nemo, located in the South Pacific Ocean, is known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility because it is 2,688 kilometres away from the nearest landmass. This means it is the farthest point from any human settlement. The crossing is a crucial part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission, a project that aims to promote naval exploration and scientific research.

The Indian Navy shared the achievement on social media, stating, "#INSVTarini charts through the world's most isolated waters! Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. & Lt. Cdr. Roopa A cross Point Nemo—the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility. A testament to resilience, courage & the spirit of adventure."

Scientific exploration and ocean research

While sailing past Point Nemo, the two officers collected water samples for scientists at the National Institute of Oceanography. These samples will help researchers study the ocean’s health, including the types of sea life and the quality of the water. This research is important for understanding climate change and its effects on the ocean.

Their journey is part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission, which focuses on scientific exploration and international cooperation. Now, the officers are sailing toward Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, continuing India's efforts in naval research and navigation.

A journey of determination and courage

Two officers started their journey on October 2, 2024, from Goa on the ship INSV Tarini. They reached Lyttelton Port in New Zealand on December 22, finishing the second part of their trip. After that, they sailed again earlier this month for the longest part of their journey, covering 5,600 nautical miles to reach Port Stanley.

A key achievement in this mission was that the ship sailed through Point Nemo without using any engine power. This is a big deal because Point Nemo is in a very isolated area of the ocean, where the currents are strong and it's hard to navigate.

Point Nemo is also known as a "spacecraft cemetery" because it's where space agencies send old satellites and space stations to crash, far away from any people.

This journey shows the bravery and determination of the Indian Navy officers, as well as their dedication to exploring and learning.