Indian Navy Women Officers Cross Point Nemo

February 1, 2025

Recently, two Indian Navy women officers, Lt. Cdr. Dilna K. and Lt. Cdr. Roopa A., successfully navigated through Point Nemo, the most remote location on Earth, during their expedition aboard the sailing vessel INSV Tarini. This historic journey is part of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II initiative, promoting women’s participation in maritime activities.

What is Point Nemo?

Point Nemo, known as the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility, is located in the South Pacific Ocean.
It lies approximately 2,688 kilometres from the nearest landmass.
This extreme remoteness makes it a unique geographical feature.
The name “Nemo” is derived from Captain Nemo, a character in Jules Verne’s novel, “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.”
The Spanish research vessel Hespérides was the first ship to reach this point in 1999. Since then, few vessels have traversed this area.

Significance of Point Nemo

Point Nemo holds ecological and scientific importance.
The waters surrounding it are part of the South Pacific Gyre, known for their clarity and low biological activity.
Due to its isolation, marine life is sparse.
However, the region is crucial for oceanographic research, as evidenced by the water samples collected by the Indian Navy officers.

Environmental Research

The water samples collected by the officers will be analysed by the National Institute of Oceanography. This research aims to provide vital information about oceanic conditions, including chemical composition and marine biodiversity. Such studies contribute to our understanding of global ocean health.

Spacecraft Cemetery

Point Nemo is also known as a decommissioned spacecraft cemetery. Space agencies intentionally direct defunct satellites and space stations to re-enter the atmosphere and fall into this remote ocean area. This practice minimises risks to human populations on land.

The Circumnavigation Expedition

The Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition was flagged off from Goa on October 2, 2024.
The journey spans approximately 23,000 nautical miles across four continents and three oceans.
The expedition is divided into five legs, with stopovers for replenishment and maintenance.

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