Two retired Telugu officers — Colonel K. Srinivas, formerly of the EME, and Captain CDNV Prasad (Indian Navy) — set sail from Opua Bay, New Zealand, on May 14, marking the first leg of their journey to India aboard their 34-foot sailboat, TYSTIE. Both officers belong to the 63rd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), having joined in 1980.
Their sailboat is currently registered in Poland but is expected to switch to Indian registration upon arrival in Visakhapatnam later this year. At that point, the vessel may be renamed VISHAKHA in tribute to the port city. Incidentally, both men are alumni of the prestigious Sainik School, Korukonda (1971 entry batch), which has been a steady feeder institution for the NDA and other defence academies over the last six decades.
Among the school’s notable alumni is the late Colonel Santosh Babu, MVC (posthumous), who was martyred in the Galwan Valley clash. If weather and wind conditions remain favourable, the duo are expected to reach their next destination — Savusavu in Fiji — within 12 to 13 days, accounting for potential zigzag routes due to navigation needs.
Their planned maritime route includes port calls at Savusavu (Fiji), Port Vila (Vanuatu), the Solomon Islands, Kupang and Bali (Indonesia), Penang and Langkawi (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand) and Sri Vijaya Puram. A press release stated that this expedition highlights the untapped potential of Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline, dotted with ports, beaches and fishing villages, for promoting marine tourism and harnessing the broader blue economy. It also makes a strong case for developing modern berthing and marina facilities in Visakhapatnam in the near future.
Published – May 19, 2025 12:55 am IST
