Indian Navy’s Sailing Vessel (INSV) Mhadei has completed 1,00,000 nautical miles, a landmark event for a sail boat which is used for adventure, recreation and training purposes. To mark this achievement, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will attend a special ceremony in Goa on February 14.
While a normal ship does about 30,000 nautical miles every year, it is rare for sail boats to reach the such a figure which is equal to going around the world five times. Incidentally, the INSV Mhadei has twice done a world tour.
Commander Dilip Donde earned his place in India's maritime history by becoming the first Indian to complete a solo circumnavigation under sail, in an Indian-built boat. He sailed from Mumbai on August 19, 2009 and returned to Mumbai after four stops on May 19, 2010. It was then used by Abhilash Tomy for his solo, unassisted, non-stop circumnavigation under sail.
The 17.1 metre, 23 tonne boat built of wood core fibre glass has a 25 metre mast. It has five sails — one each of mainsail, Genoa, Jib, two Gennakers and a Storm Jib.