Few days after a historic global circumnavigation by team TARINI (team of six Indian Navy women officer), Commander (Cdr) Abhilash Tomy is all set for second solo circumnavigation of globe that too in a non- motorised sailboat. Cdr Tomy sailed into les Sabels d'Olonne in France a few days ago, in time for the July 1 flag-off of the 30,000-mile Golden Globe Race (GGR).
Interestingly, there are 18 skippers at the start line and Cdr Tomy of the Indian Navy is a special invitee at the race.
Explaining about the voyage, the Indian Navy official mentioned that the race is being held to commemorate 50 years since it was held for the first and last time, which saw Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's successfully completing the voyage in 312 days, to become the first human to finish solo, unassisted and nonstop circumnavigation of the world, adding, “The biggest challenge at the GGR is to have equipment, tools and boat which resembles the one used by Sir Johntson, despite the change in technology,” the official added.
Cdr Tomy is aiming to complete the race in 311 days, one day less than Sir Johntson’s timing. He will be sailing in the 10-metre ‘Thuriya’, whose design is similar to Sir Johntson’s boat ‘Suhaili’, which was incidentally manufactured in Colaba, Mumbai. “Thuriya” has been built at Goa at RatnakarDandekar’s Aquarius Shipyard. Cdr Tomy has supplies consisting of specially-prepared food items, and fresh water in the limited space on board. Incidentally, in the age of Global Positing System (GPS), the navigation will have to be done old instrument - the maps.
Cdr Tomy was born at Chengannacherry, Kerala and taking inspirations from his father (A Naval officer) he joined the Indian Navy. Graduated from the Naval Academy and specialized as a Maritime Reconnaissance pilot and served on board various ships and air squadrons.
Notably, in March 2009, he volunteered to be Caption (then) now Commodore Dilip Donde's (Retd) assistant for his solo circumnavigation, Sagar Parikrama I.
And on completion of the project in 2010, he sailed to Cape Town and participated in the Cape to Rio race from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro on 'INSV Mhadei'. Abhilash skippered 'Mhadei'from Rio, across the Atlantic, with one crew and sailed solo from Cape Town to Goa on a 33-day long voyage.
Interestingly, November 1,2012, Cdr Tomy set sail from Mumbai on 'INSV Mhadei'. And in the span of five months he covered 23,000 nautical miles and on March 31,2013, he was received by the President of India at the Gateway of India, and became the first Indian and second Asian to complete a solo and non-stop circumnavigation.