Third leg of sailing expedition flagged off

Kochi, Dec 21 (UNI) The third leg of the Seabird Sailing Expedition of the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army was flagged off from here today.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Major Karunakaran, skipper of the expedition said the four-leg expedition in its round-trip would connect Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Kavaratti in Lakshadweep Islands and Mangalore.

He said the expedition with eight crew in two sailing boats would cover a total distance of 2,500 nautical miles.

The expedition which started on December 6 from Mumbai was undertaken to instill a spirit of adventure and inculcate leadership qualities in young officers, promote sailing as a sport and for development of spirit and character, he said.

The boats sailing off the coast non-stop were self-contained had a short halt at Goa at the end of the first leg for replenishment of provisions, repair of boats and part changeover of crew, the Major said.

The thrid leg was falgged off from here by Regional Director of ECHS Commodore M S Pavithran.

The wind-powered harbour sailing boat is 21 feet long, six feet wide and has a sail area of 30 square meter.

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