Keralite girds up sails to circle the globe

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If an ambitious plan by the Indian navy goes according to plan, a Keralite will become the second Indian to solo circumnavigate and that too in the same naval sailing ship that Commander Dilip Donde did when he entered the record books two years ago.

Lieutenant Commander Abhilash Tomy, from Tripunithura “will most certainly” set sail for the historic world tour “later in the year.”

Interestingly, the 33-year-old had accompanied Commander Donde when the Indian-made boat set sail after its maiden historic journey to take part in the ‘Trans Atlantic Race’ of sail boats early last year.

“We’ll be sailing from Goa for the solo non-stop mission at the end of the year. I’m very keen to attempt the ultimate challenge that Commander Donde surmounted. Coincidentally, a Chinaman is also attempting the same journey during the same period,” said Tomy, a reconnaissance pilot by profession and the present skipper of the Mhadei.

The INSV Mhadei is currently on a voyage to South East Asia, covering a distance of 5,000 nautical miles.
The 56 ft long fibreglass yacht arrived in Kochi on March 24 and will resume its voyage on Saturday.

“Our return from the port of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil after the Trans Atlantic Race was most challenging. There were only two of us and Commander Donde returned by flight,” said Tomy.