Sailing around the world with no gadgets
Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Indian Navy will set sail from France on 30,000-mile Golden Globe Race
On April 6, 2013, Commander Abhilash Tomy ( pictured) of the Indian Navy completed a solo circumnavigation of the world — a nonstop, round-the-world voyage in a small sailboat named Mhadei. Tomy, now, faces a more hazardous challenge. On Sunday, he will set sail from France on the 30,000-mile Golden Globe Race, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world’s first successful solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. AJAI SHUKLA writes
On April 6, 2013, Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Indian Navy completed a solo circumnavigation of the world – a non-stop, round-the-world voyage in a small, Indian sailboat named Mhadei. At the finish of what was dubbed the Sagarparikrama, then President Pranab Mukherjee received him at the Gateway of India, Mumbai.
Tomy, now, faces a more hazardous challenge. On Sunday, he will set sail from France on the 30,000-mile Golden Globe Race, held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world’s first successful solo, unassisted, nonstop circumnavigation by sailing legend Sir Robin KnoxJohnston.
As in the original Golden Globe Race, no modern digital or satellite gadgetry will be permitted. Navigation and communications equipment, tools, and the boat itself, may only incorporate technology that was available to Knox-Johnston.
In 1968, nine skippers had started the race from Falmouth, UK. Only Knox-Johnston completed the challenge, taking 312 days – almost a year, alone at sea. This time, 18 skippers are starting from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Tomy, now famous and winner of the Kirti Chakra for peacetime gallantry, is a special invitee.
The officer says he aims to complete the race in 311 days, one less than Knox-Johnston. “During the Sagarparikrama (the first circumnavigation), I had used GPS-based maps and other satellite-based technologies. At the Golden Globe Race, I have to make do with a compass, printed maps, and star and planetary movements. There is a solitary high-frequency radio set for contact. The size of the boat limits the water I can carry. Sir Robin had stored and used rainwater and I will do the same. There is no help from the outside world throughout the race,” says Tomy.
Sailors are allowed to carry satellite phones exclusively for medical emergencies. The boats have outboard engines but are allowed only 140 litres of fuel, usable only under strict conditions. Starting from Les Sables, the race route heads south till Cape Agulhas at the southern tip of Africa. Rounding the stormy cape, the skippers will sail eastward past Cape Leeuwin (Australia) and Cape Horn (South America). From there, they will sail north into the Atlantic for the final leg back to France.
A key element of Tomy’s quest is his sailboat, the 10 metre-long Thuriya, built to a design identical to Knox- Johnston’s famous boat, Suhaili, which was built in Colaba, Mumbai. Ratnakar Dandekar, who built the Thuriya at Aquarius Shipyard, Goa, had also built the Mhadei — the sailboat on which the pioneer of Indian solo sailing, Captain Dilip Donde, Tomy himself, and most recently a crew of Indian Navy women earned their spurs.
However, building a sailboat to an almost century-old design is a greater challenge than constructing a modern sailboat. The 52-foot Mhadei had more space for miniaturised modern gadgetry but it is far more difficult to accommodate bulky sextants, charts and older equipment on the 32-foot Thuriya. Further, giant waves in the stormy southern ocean toss around smaller boats more violently, slowing them and increasing sailor fatigue.
However, Tomy has a team with which he is entirely comfortable. The Indian Navy and Aquarius Shipyard are officially supporting him. Donde, first Indian to circumnavigate the world (albeit with stops), is overseeing the race as base manager.
At Les Sables d’Olonne, participating boats have had their safety checks. Tomy's team and he are spending the rest of the week stacking on food, stationary and toiletries for the coming months. The boat will carry 1,000 'ready-to-eat' meals, including from a popular South India eatery, Mavalli Tiffin Room. There will be 300 litres of water to tide over periods where it does not rain.
During the coming year at sea, Tomy will not be entirely out of communication. Those following his race will find three-hourly position updates on the Golden Globe Race website, along with a weekly soundbite from Tomy himself. He can also post one-way text messages on the website.