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Stitched-Ship INSV Kaundinya Nears One-Third of PorbandarMuscat Voyage

The Kerala-built replica relies on fifth-century stitching with square sails, leaving progress dictated by shifting winds.

Overview

  • Onboard updates indicate the vessel is set to cross roughly one-third of the route after covering more than 200 nautical miles.
  • Early westerlies and tidal currents pushed the ship off course near the Gulf of Kutch before northeast winds steadied its track toward Oman.
  • Built without an engine or rudder, the craft uses coconut-fibre stitching, coir rope, wooden joinery and cotton square sails, limiting maneuverability.
  • The crew includes four officers, 13 sailors and economist Sanjeev Sanyal, with Cdr Vikas Sheoran as skipper and Cdr Y Hemanth Kumar overseeing the project.
  • Local fishers monitored the vessel near Sir Creek due to the area's sensitivities, while the voyage has drawn public attention and well-wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.