Indian world sailors reach Point Nemo

Two female lieutenant commanders of the Indian Navy, aboard the sailing ship Tarini, passed Point Nemo on 29 January, during the third leg of their circumnavigation, said a statement from the Indian Navy.

Lieutenants-Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A, aboard INSV Tarini, are en route from Lyttelton, New Zealand, to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. Passing Point Nemo marks an important milestone in the Navika Sagar Parikrama II mission, an Indian Navy expedition aiming at a double-handed circumnavigation via the three Great Capes, undertaken by the two officers as part of India’s naval reconnaissance initiative.

ISS closest human presence

A few days earlier, Dilna and Roona already crossed the international date line.
Point Nemo, located at coordinates 48°53’S and 123°24’W, is known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility. It is one of the most remote locations on Earth, about 1,450 nautical miles from the nearest land mass. Because of its isolation, it is often considered the furthest point of human habitation.
The closest human presence is usually aboard the International Space Station, which circles above the area. Moreover, Point Nemo is a designated area where space agencies intentionally re-enter phased-out spacecraft, including satellites and space stations, into the Earth’s atmosphere and drop them into the ocean to prevent damage to inhabited areas.

Research

INSV Tarini’s passage through Point Nemo was entirely under sail, making it a remarkable achievement in terms of maritime navigation. The ship’s passage through this isolated point highlights the challenges of navigating through such remote and difficult waters.
The INSV Tarini, which is on the third leg of its journey, departed from Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand, on 4 January. The mission’s next stop is Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. This is the longest leg of the expedition with a distance of more than 5,000 nautical miles. The ship crosses the South Pacific and sails through the treacherous Drake Passage to Port Stanley.
At Point Nemo, naval officers collected vital water samples that will be analysed by the National Institute of Oceanography. These samples provide insight into the marine biodiversity and chemical composition of the ocean, and contribute to global oceanographic research.

Source and image: Tribune India.

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