Indian Navy Officer to sail solo round the world

by BW Media roundup on 21 Aug 2009 The Indian Navy is a very adventurous organisation. Members of the The Indian Navy have already climbed Everest and reached both the north and the south poles. Now a naval officer, 42 year old Commander Dilip Dhonde, has just departed on a planned 9 month circumnavigation of the world on a sailing boat, the Mahdei.

Mhadei, named after the river she was built on, was constructed at Divar island by Aquarius Fibreglass Pvt Ltd, Goa. It has an overall length of 56ft and a mast rising to over 25mt. This was a significant feat for the country, which does not have a long history of pleasure sailing. The yacht has everything one would expect on a modern yacht, desalinator, all communications and navigation gear.

The course that the yacht will follow is Mumbai, Freemantle (Australia), Christ Church (New Zealand), Port Stanley, Cape Town (South Africa) and then back to Mumbai. The mission will cover a distance of nearly 21,600 nautical miles.

Cdr Dhonde said that besides the basic navigation equipments, he is carrying food, rations, medicines, first aid kits, books, spares, still and video cameras. 'I also have a broadband connectivity,' he said, adding that probably, from wherever he is he would be able to e-mail or send photographs. Asked in case he was in distress, he said: 'Probably, with my equipments, I would be able to make the world know, but I would have to wait till the rescue comes.'

Dhonde said that he has been planning the mission since the last three years and has got tremendous support from Vice Admiral MP Avati, a former Naval commander. 'The entire project is expected to cost Rs 6.5 crore (US$1.34 million),' he said.

When asked how he plans to pass the time, he said,'I'm carrying lots of books, music and there will be enough work,' said Commander Dhonde.

Inside the Mhadei's small but cozy interior, Donde has access to state-of-the-art GPS and communication devices. Donde plans to make only brief stops in Australia, South America and Africa. So he has stocked up his larder to the full.

'I want it to be an uneventful trip that is what every sailor wants,' said Donde.

' It's a phenomenal event in history of yachting and for the Navy and the nation,' said Chief Of Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

The Mahdei has already sailed a maiden passage to Mauritius and back as a shake-down cruise, in May this year. During this passage, Dilip Dhonde sailed with a crew member on board, but sailed back to Mumbai solo. That was a 2,300 mile journey, under various trying conditions, through the south west monsoon, doldrum conditions, and the south east trades south of the equator.
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Editor's Note: Some of the Indian press are claiming that this is a first for India. However, one must mention another intrepid Indian sailor who has adventured around the world and written books about his travels, Gulshan Rai, who has been recognised and honoured by many international sailing organisations.