All-women Naval team back to Goa after sailboat voyage to

In a landmark journey, Indian Navy's all-women team today returned to Goa after visiting Mauritius on a sailboat which is a precursor to their preparation for global circumnavigation planned next year.
"The six-member team returned on Navy's only ocean going sailboat 'Mhadei' after their successful voyage to Mauritius. The team, on their maiden and India's first all-women crew ocean voyage covered a distance of over five thousand nautical miles through treacherous monsoon seas and heavy winds," a Naval release stated.
The voyage commenced in Goa on May 24 this year and post ten-day halt at Port Louis Mauritius they successfully completed entry back in the coastal state.

"The skipper Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi and her five member team were received by Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, the flag officer commanding-in-chief of the Western naval command. The all-women crew of 'Mhadei' are presently training to undertake a circumnavigation of the globe, a feat more demanding than climbing an Everest, in August 2017," the release stated.
'Mhadei' had undertaken two solo circumnavigations between 2009-13.
"The first was with stops by Cdr Dilip Donde and second a non-stop circumnavigation by Cdr Abhilash Tomy," it added.

The women crew were tutored and trained by Cdr Donde who passed them as fit to sail 'Mhadei' across the north Indian Ocean.

The Mauritius Voyage, which lasted for over 40 days, was aimed at exposing the skipper and crew to rough seas expected during the monsoon period in the north Indian ocean.
"This was to prepare them for the very rough weather expected to be encountered by them in the southern ocean during their attempt to circumnavigate the globe. The aim of this training voyage was adequately met and the all-women crew has proved themselves capable and competent at sea," the release said.