INSV Tarini with 2 women crew crossesPt Nemo, Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility

 

 

LIEUTENANT Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, aboard INSVTarini,crossedPointNemo at 0030 hours (IST) on Thursday during the third leg oftheirjourneyfromLyttelton,NewZealand, toPortStanley, Falkland Islands, said an Indian Navy statement. This event marks a significant milestone in the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission, a circumnavigation journey undertaken by the two officers as part of India’s naval exploration initiative, the statement added. Point Nemo, located at coordinates 48°53’S 123°24’W, is known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility.

 

It is one of the mostremote locationsonEarth, situated approximately 2,688 kilometersfromthenearestlandmass. Due to its isolation, it is often considered the farthest point from any human habitation. The nearest human presence is usually aboard the International Space Station, which orbits above the region. Additionally,PointNemoisadesignated area where space agencies intentionally guide decommissionedspacecraft,including satellites and space stations, to re-enterEarth’satmosphereand fall into the oceanto avoidharm to populated areas. INSVTarini’s passage through PointNemowasachievedentirely under sail, which makes it a noteworthy accomplishment in terms of maritime navigation. Thevessel’scrossingthroughthis isolatedpointhighlightsthechallengesofnavigatingsuchremote and difficult waters.

 

During their passage, the officersalsocollectedwatersamples from the area, which will be analysedbytheNationalInstitute of Oceanography. These samples are expected to provide valuable data on oceanic conditions, including marine biodiversity and the chemical composition of the water, contributing to ongoing oceanographic research, the Navy statement said. Further the statement added, Navika Sagar Parikrama II represents a continuation of India’s effortstosupportscientificexploration and collaboration. As the officers continue their journey, they will progress toward their next destination, Port Stanley, furtheradvancingtheobjectives of the mission.