INSV Tarini: Two Indian Navy officers, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, have made history by successfully crossing Cape Horn, a dangerous and famous point at the southern tip of South America. They achieved this feat while sailing on the third part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition aboard the INSV Tarini. The Indian Navy praised their accomplishment, calling it a “big achievement.”
Cape Horn is known for its extremely rough seas, strong winds, and unpredictable weather. The two officers sailed through the Drake Passage, a waterway named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake. He was the first to confirm that ships could sail south of South America through this route. The Indian Navy said, “The Drake Passage is very dangerous, with huge waves and strong winds. Successfully crossing it is a major achievement.”
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In persistent rains, Sea State 5, winds of 40kns (~75 kmph) and waves more than 5 metres, Lt Cdr Dilna K & Lt Cdr Roopa A, recorded their names in the annals of history by successfully crossing the #CapeHorn located at the southern tip of #SouthAmerica, while sailing on the third… pic.twitter.com/N1isyvHGMA
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 15, 2025
By crossing Cape Horn, Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A have earned the special title of “Cape Horners.” This title is given to sailors who successfully navigate Cape Horn under sail, joining an elite group of seafarers.
Cape Horn is located just over 800 kilometres from Antarctica, making it one of the closest land points to the icy continent. Sailing through this area requires excellent navigation skills and the ability to handle the tough conditions of the Southern Ocean.
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The Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition is part of India’s efforts to support scientific exploration and collaboration. After crossing Cape Horn, the two officers will now continue their journey to their next destination. Last year, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff of India, flagged off the INSV Tarini for this expedition from Goa.
The expedition is a historic voyage that will cover four continents, three oceans, and three challenging capes over 240 days. The sailors will travel a total of 23,400 nautical miles. Once completed, the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition will become a major milestone in maritime history. It will also support India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative, showing the country’s growing capabilities in exploration and self-reliance.
