The Indian Navy’s historic stitched sailing vessel, INSV ‘Kaundinya’, has successfully completed its journey on the seas 18 days after it set sail for Oman.
The ship has been built using an ancient “stitching” technique using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin, inspired by a 5th-century CE ship depicted in the paintings of Ajanta Caves. The project is said to have been the brainchild of Sanjeev Sanyal, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council member.
In a post on X, Sanyal shared the historic milestone and posted an image with the caption: “Enjoying the moment with Skipper Vikas Sheoran and Expedition in charge Hemanth Kumar ... We did it!!!”
Skippered by Commander Vikas Sheoran, the 16-member crew of INSV ‘Kaundinya’ reached Muscat as planned.
Another crew member, Hemanth, also posted, saying: “Land Ahoy! Muscat Sighted! Good Morning India; Good morning Oman.”
Retired Naval Commander Abhilash Tomy, who had successfully solo circumnavigated the globe, also wished the crew of INSV Kaudinya on the success of the mission, saying they had earned their “sea legs”.
“This must be such a wonderful feeling. Now you have earned your sea legs, and walking on land will be a foreign experience. Well done,” he added.
Also Read: Defence and Culture ministries sign MoU for INSV Kaundinya
Named after Kaundinya, the legendary first-century Indian mariner who sailed across the Indian Ocean to the Mekong Delta, where he married a Cambodian princess, the ship serves as a tangible symbol of India’s long-standing traditions of maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.
To build the unique ship, in July 2023, a tripartite agreement was signed between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, a Goa-based private boat builder, with funding from the Ministry of Culture.
Following the keel laying in September 2023, the vessel’s construction was undertaken using a traditional method of stitching by a team of skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright, Babu Sankaran.
Over several months, the team painstakingly stitched wooden planks on the ship’s hull using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin. Its sails display motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, her bow bears a sculpted Simha Yali, and a symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor adorns her deck, each element evoking the rich maritime traditions of ancient India.
The ship was launched in February 2025 at Goa.
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