:Mumbai, December 19, 2025

Officers of Mumbai Customs, under the Bombay Customs Yacht Club (BCYC), achieved a podium finish in the Ocean Gold Offshore Race (OGOR) 2025 and participated successfully in the associated Goa Yacht Rendezvous (GYR). These national-level offshore and coastal sailing events were organized under the aegis of the Yachting Association of India (YAI).

On December 9, 2025, the BCYC team sailed the keelboat Jaycus III from Gateway of India, Mumbai, to Goa, with an intermediate halt at Vijaydurg along the Konkan coast. The yacht was flagged off ceremonially by the Commissioner of Customs & Commodore, BCYC. The offshore legs featured long sea passages, night sailing, and varying weather, requiring precise GPS navigation, chart work, wind and tide assessment, weather interpretation, and tactical decisions.

Jaycus III crossed the finish line off Aguada Fort lighthouse at dawn on December 12, 2025, securing third position overall in the Keelboat category on handicap, based on corrected time under the IRC handicap system. The team also competed in the GYR coastal day race, honing sailing and tactical skills.

During the Vijaydurg halt, the crew interacted with Lt Cdr Roopa A. and Lt Cdr Dilna K. of INSV Tarini, who circumnavigated the globe in 2024-25, gaining valuable insights into India's offshore sailing prowess.

The crew included Shri Kenneth M. D’Souza (Skipper and Honorary Sailing Instructor, BCYC, with over 26,000 nautical miles experience), Shri Arshdeep Singh (Joint Commissioner), Ms. Mishal Queeni D’Costa (Deputy Director), Shri Sandeep Kumar (Superintendent), Shri Prakash Chandra (Superintendent), Shri Nitin Chaudhary (Preventive Officer), and Tandels Shri Vishnu Palekar and Shri Rushikesh Palekar.

The Bombay Customs Yacht Club, under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), promotes sailing, seamanship, and maritime awareness among officers through training, expeditions, and national events. Jaycus III has previously undertaken long-distance voyages to Muscat, Maldives, Singapore, Phuket, and Port Blair.

This achievement underscores the officers' discipline, teamwork, and commitment to excellence beyond duties, fostering maritime skills, leadership, and resilience while strengthening ties with the sailing community.

 

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PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/Robin Singh/Parshuram Kor

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