Keralite’s tryst with sea

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He is yet to decide on his first and true love. Flying a Dornier aircraft and commanding a sailing vessel gives him equal and immense satisfaction and fulfillment.

Lieutenant Commander Abhilash Tomy, from Tripunithura, has 1300 flying hours to his credit, but is currently on a sailing mission that will keep him away from flying the maritime surveillance aircraft ‘Dornier 228’, for quite some time.

The Indian Navy’s vessel, Mhadei, sailed into Kochi Port on Thursday after completing a grueling 5000 nautical mile odyssey to South East Asia.

The vessel skippered by Abhilash, was on a voyage to provide off-shore sailing experience to Navy personnel.

The 33-year-old says the current mission was not without its share of adventure.

“The voyage from Kochi to Malaysia went off rather smoothly but the return leg was challenging as we had to continuously face gales from the opposite direction. We had to move in a zig-zag way as the enormous waves threatened to swallow the boat every second,” he said.

The rough ride tested the endurance of the team, which consisted of Abhilash and the trainees — two officers and four sailors.

“With the boat shaking violently for days, we couldn’t sleep nor stand on board and wanted to throw up always.

The sea was very rough for 20 to 30 per cent of our voyage,” said the the Keralite who is preparing for yet another grueling sea trip this year.

Before signing off, he has this to say of both his passions: “One mistake and you’ve had it”.