Porbandar: A sailing expedition from Porbandar to Mangalore to mark the Golden Jubilee year of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy was flagged off from here today.

The expedition on the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Bulbul would conclude on October 13 when it reaches Mangalore in Karnataka.

Defence spokesperson Colonel Sombit Ghosh today said that the expedition was flagged off by Rear Admiral Sanjay Roye, the Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area from IN – GMB Jetty at Porbandar on its first leg from Porbandar to Mumbai. During the expedition ‘Bulbul’ would sail past the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka on the Western Seaboard and would have stopovers at the ports of Mumbai, Goa and Karwar before culminating its voyage at the port of Mangalore.

While sailing from Porbandar to Mangalore, the crew members would sail ‘Bulbul’ in the traditional method by using only the winds. There are possibilities of them facing adverse weather conditions, due to the unpredictability of the sea despite technological advancements. To add to their challenges, the crew would also be surviving on dry provisions and limited quantity of fresh water during the expedition due to limited storage space onboard,’ he added.

Vice Admiral Girish Luthra, the Flag Officer Commanding – in – Chief, Western Naval Command, will also embark ‘Bulbul’ in the sailing leg from Mumbai to Goa to be part of the expedition and to motivate the Command to renew its bonds with ocean sailing. The skipper of INSV Bulbul is Captain Vipul Meherishi. He is an acclaimed yachtsman of international repute and has brought laurels to India in various international yachting events, colonel Ghosh added.

DeshGujarat