Indian Navy officer sets sail around the globe solo, non-stop

On April 6, 2013, Commander Abhilash Tomy of the Indian Navy completed an epic solo circumnavigation around the world — a non-stop, roundthe-world voyage in a small, Indian sailboat named Mhadei. At the finish of what was dubbed the Sagarparikrama, the then President Pranab Mukherjee received him at the Gateway of India, Mumbai.

Now, Tomy faces an even more hazardous challenge. On Sunday, he will set sail from France on the 30,000mile Golden Globe Race, being held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world’s first successful solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation by the sailing legend, Sir Robin KnoxJohnston. Like in the original Golden Globe Race, no modern digital and satellite gadgetry is permitted for this race. Navigation and communications equipment, tools, and the boat itself, can only incorporate technology that was available to Knox-Johnston.

In 1968, nine skippers had started the race from Falmouth, UK. Only KnoxJohnston 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 a winner of the Kirti Chakra for peacetime gallantry, is a special invitee.

The Indian Navy officer says he aims to complete the race in 311 days - one day less than Knox-Johnston.

“During the Sagarparikrama (the first circumnavigation), I had used GPSbased maps and other satellite-based technologies. But 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 rain water and I will do the same. There is no help from the outside world throughout the race,” says Tomy. Sailors can carry satellite phones exclusively for medical emergencies.

The boats have outboard engines, but are allowed only 140 litres of fuel. Starting from Les Sables d'Olonne, the race route heads south till Cape Agulhas, at the southern tip of Africa.