Celebrating courage, camaraderie, and maritime heritage, the all-women crew of the Indian Army Sailing Vessel Triveni made their first international port call in Fremantle—marking a historic milestone in their nine-month circumnavigation of the globe.
This pioneering team exemplifies Nari Shakti, a Hindi phrase meaning “the power of women”. Representing the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Triveni crew is the nation’s first all-female tri-service team to circumnavigate the globe—an extraordinary achievement in both military and maritime history.
The crew was warmly welcomed at the WA Maritime Museum and WA Shipwrecks Museum by Manager Gill Harrison, who introduced them to Western Australia’s rich seafaring legacy. They participated in insightful sessions with David O’Sullivan and Aurora Philpin from Maritime Heritage, exploring the region’s nautical history and its global connections.
Among the highlights was a preview of the From Nonna with Love exhibition, with curator Nella Fitzgerald. The exhibition chronicles the journeys of Italian women—many of whom arrived in Western Australia by sea—offering another powerful narrative of women’s resilience and discovery.
Adding to the day’s inspiration, the crew explored the Australia II gallery with John Longley, who helped select the legendary yacht’s team and served as a grinder during its historic 1983 America’s Cup victory. Australia II’s story of teamwork and perseverance mirrors the Triveni crew’s own groundbreaking journey—both grounded in resilience and the pursuit of maritime excellence.
The Triveni crew:
- Lieutenant Colonel Anuja Varudkar, Expedition Leader
- Squadron Leader Shraddha P Raju, Deputy Expedition Leader
- Major Karamjeet Kaur
- Major Omita Sanjeev Dalvi
- Major Dauli Butola
- Captain Prajakta P Nikam
- Lieutenant Commander Priyanka Gusain
- Wing Commander Vibha Singh
- Squadron Leader Aruvi Jayadev
- Squadron Leader Vaishali Bhandari
Crew members visiting the Museums were joined by Captain Rohit Raymond Kattoju, Defence Adviser at the High Commission of India in Australia, and Mr Siddharth Priyadarshi, Assistant to the Defence Adviser.
Launched from the iconic Gateway of India in Mumbai on 11 September 2025, Triveni is the first tri-services circumnavigation mission led by the Indian Armed Forces. The 50-foot yacht, built indigenously in Puducherry, symbolizes the synergy between India’s military branches.
The team trained intensively for two and a half years, including a preparatory expedition to Seychelles. Under expert guidance at the Heavy Bridging Training Camp in Marve, they mastered navigation, communication, scuba diving, first aid, and both basic and advanced blue-water sailing.
Over the next nine months, the crew will cover more than 26,000 nautical miles, crossing the Equator twice and rounding the Three Great Capes—Leeuwin, Horn, and Good Hope. Their journey will test endurance in some of the world’s most formidable waters, including the Southern Ocean and the Drake Passage.
Their visit to the WA Maritime Museum and the WA Shipwrecks Museum was more than a cultural exchange—it was a celebration of global maritime heritage, resilience, and the pioneering spirit of women in uniform. As Triveni sails onward, their story will continue to inspire across oceans and generations.
Fair winds and following seas to the crew of Triveni—may your journey be as inspiring as the legacy you’re creating.
