The Hindu Business Line : INS Tarangini back after voyage around the world

The President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on INS Tarangini, which returned to the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on Sunday after a 15-month world cruise. — K.K. Mustafah

Kochi , April 25

AFTER completing a historic 15-month voyage around the globe, the Indian Navy's prestigious sail ship, INS Tarangini returned home here on Sunday.

The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, led Tarangini to the naval jetty this morning from the outer harbour as he sailed up to the harbour mouth to embark into the sail ship.

He was accompanied by senior officials of the Navy including the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Madhavendra Singh.

Addressing the officers and sailors of the ship at the naval jetty, Dr Kalam said "you have indeed re-established the tradition of sea voyages set up Columbus with a purpose, which commenced in 1492. Columbus had discovered a new continent through his mission, whereas you have travelled through all the continents except Antarctica and won the hearts of the people of the continents you have visited," he said.

"Your sea journey, the voyage of Tarangini, will indeed ensure that in the future there will not be any subjugation of Indian territory or dangers to our sea borne economic activity and thereby the Indian Navy has proclaimed the message of peace," the President said.

The sail ship, a three mastered barque, had called 36 ports in 18 countries since it commenced its circumnavigation from Kochi in January last year. The ship with the theme of Bridges of Friendship had called at the ports of Alexandria, Greece, Italy, US, Canada and Singapore in its 458 day voyage of 33,000 nautical miles.

The voyage christened Lokayan was to reiterate the great seafaring tradition of India and contribute to building friendships across the oceans. During the 15-month adventure cum goodwill cruise, the ship had participated in tall ship regatta in the Great Lakes region of North America and won accolades for the country. Tarangini's performance in these races has brought laurels to the Indian Navy.

The ship was designed by a yacht designer from the United Kingdom and was built in 1997 at Goa Shipyard before being commissioned into the Navy in November that year.

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