New Delhi, Nov 18 (IANS): The Indian Navy is conducting an inter-Command Ocean Sailing Race from Kochi to Goa with an aim of encouraging adventure at sea, the Defence Ministry said on Saturday.

Four 40-footer Indian Naval Sailing Vessels (INSVs)-- Bulbul, Neelkanth, Kadalpura and Hariyal will participate in the event, scheduled from November 22 - 26.

The race will cover an approximate distance of 360 nautical miles between the start point at the Kochi Naval Base to Goa in about five days.

As many as 32 personnel, including eight women officers/ Agniveers, will participate in this race onboard the four INSVs. Each INSV will be crewed by eight personnel from the three Commands of the Navy and a combined team of Andaman and Nicobar Command & NHQ. The senior-most participant is of the rank of a Commodore and junior-most an Agniveer.

The crew for these sailing expeditions are selected from volunteers with adequate sea sailing experience. Ocean sailing is an extremely tough adventure sport.

The Indian Navy utilises ocean sailing yachts for inculcating a spirit of adventure and enhancing risk-management abilities of the crew whilst honing its essential seamanship and machinery management skills.

The Indian Navy believes that sailing on these small vessels is the best way to instil among its personnel the "indefinable sea-sense" and respect for elements of nature, which are inseparable from safe and successful seafaring. They also serve to impart the values of courage, camaraderie, endurance and esprit-de-corps among budding naval personnel.

The event is being conducted under the aegis of Indian Naval Sailing Association (INSA) based at Naval Headquarters (NHQ), New Delhi.

The race is being organised by Headquarters, Southern Naval Command (HQSNC) and coordinated by Indian Navy’s Offshore Sailing Club based at ASW School, Kochi and the Ocean Sailing Node based at INS Mandovi, Goa.