Sun May 18 19:25:05 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

Two retired Indian defense officers, Colonel K. Srinivas and Captain CDNV Prasad, both alumni of the National Defence Academy and Sainik School Korukonda, have embarked on a sailing expedition from New Zealand to India aboard their 34-foot sailboat, TYSTIE. Their journey highlights the potential for marine tourism along Andhra Pradesh’s coastline and advocates for the development of modern marina facilities in Visakhapatnam.

**News Article:**

**Retired Indian Officers Embark on Sailing Expedition, Highlighting Coastal Tourism Potential**

*HYDERABAD, INDIA – May 19, 2025* – Two retired Indian defense officers have set sail on an ambitious journey from Opua Bay, New Zealand, to India, drawing attention to the untapped potential of Andhra Pradesh’s coastline for marine tourism. Colonel K. Srinivas, formerly of the EME, and Captain CDNV Prasad of the Indian Navy, both alumni of the 63rd course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), began their voyage on May 14th aboard their 34-foot sailboat, TYSTIE.

The vessel, currently registered in Poland, is expected to be re-registered in India and potentially renamed “VISHAKHA” upon its arrival in Visakhapatnam later this year. Both officers also share a common alma mater in Sainik School, Korukonda, a feeder institution for India’s defense academies, which also produced the late Colonel Santosh Babu, martyred in the Galwan Valley clash.

The expedition’s route includes stops at Savusavu (Fiji), Port Vila (Vanuatu), the Solomon Islands, Kupang and Bali (Indonesia), Penang and Langkawi (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand) and Sri Vijaya Puram. The officers anticipate reaching Savusavu in approximately 12-13 days, depending on weather conditions and navigation requirements.

According to a press release, this maritime journey serves to highlight the potential of Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline, rich with ports, beaches, and fishing villages, for the promotion of marine tourism and the growth of the “blue economy.” Furthermore, the expedition aims to strengthen the argument for developing modern berthing and marina facilities in Visakhapatnam in the near future.

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