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Soldiers swap the desert for the ocean in Indian Voyage

Published Wednesday 11th January 2006

The 12.8 m (42-foot) yacht 'Rosa', which is the first and only recreational yacht ever to be built and registered in India [Picture: Army]

Foreground: Second Lieutenant James Gaywood, middleground: Private Meli Tikoisuva, and background: Lance Corporal Netani Taubale working the sails on 'Rosa' [Picture: Army]

Lance Corporal Daniel Spencer [Picture: Army]

Sergeant David Hughes [Picture: Army]

Eight soldiers, recently returned from a peace-keeping tour of Iraq, have completed a 483 km (300-mile) sailing expedition around the state of Kerala on India's south-west coast.

The crew for 'Exercise Kerala Diamond' are administrators and clerks from the Adjutant General's Corps, currently with 21 Engineer Regiment in Germany. They are thought to be the first yacht crew to have explored the coast since the British left over 60 years ago. Crew member Corporal Guy Wilkinson, aged 23, said:

"This is what the Army is all about - seeing the world and exploring. It's an opportunity not to be missed. And it's a far cry from my usual job as the finance clerk for 72 Armed Engineer Squadron."

The Army crew sailed the 12.8 m (42-foot) yacht 'Rosa', which is the first and only recreational yacht ever to be built and registered in India.

This was an unusual and challenging exercise for several reasons. Yachting is a rare activity on the coasts of India. Visiting yachts are not allowed to explore the coast, which was why the soldiers had to use an Indian registered boat. There are no laws and regulations governing the activity so the Merchant Shipping Act and various other Acts of Government are used – several dating from the mid 1800s.

In addition, there is no established infrastructure to support yachting including chandlery items, skippers, marinas and all the things we take for granted in the UK. John Crabtree is a former Army docter, and founded the company which owns 'Rosa':

"Without doubt, Kerala Diamond was a stepping stone in the development of yachting in India. Exercise Kerala Diamond was a challenge to organise and run.

"It has however established the procedures and protocols for this type of activity and it has tested the support and cooperation of the Authorities. I'm not referring to the political clearance from Delhi, but the cooperation of the port and customs people, the Navy who provide air-sea rescue, the local police and the coastguard who have never seen a yacht sailing the coast before."

Kerala Diamond was declared a great success by everyone involved, and plans for a repeat expedition are already afloat.

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