Cdr Abhilash Tomy is ready for his second solo
circumnavigation of the globe in a non-motorised sailboat. He sailed into Les
Sables d'Olonne in France a few days ago, in time for the July 1 flag-off of
the 30,000-mile Golden Globe Race. There are 18 skippers at the start line and
Cdr Tomy of the Indian Navy is a special invitee at the race.
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 non stop circumnavigation of the world.
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. Navigation will have to be done looking at celestial objects using
physical maps. Communication with the outside world will also be limited as the
lone satellite phone is for use in medical emergency alone. Cdr Tomy had first
circumnavigated the globe in 2012-13, becoming the first Indian to achieve the
feat by sailing for 151 days in INS Mhadei.
Starting from Les Sables d'Olonne, skippers will go
south till Cape of Good Hope, continue sailing eastward in the southern
hemisphere to pass the international dateline, and pass Cape of Horn to start
sailing north in the Atlantic Ocean for the final leg. 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 Ratnakar
Dandekar's Aquarius Shipyard. Cdr Tomy has supplies consisting of
specially-prepared food items, and fresh water in the limited space on board.
Before sailing out for Les Sables d'Olonne, there were a
series of events held in UK's Flymouth, from where the first race was flagged,
where Sir Johntson was also present. In the two weeks to July 1, mandatory
checks, including ones on safety, are being carried out and the sailors are
getting the boat ready for the long-haul voyage.
Cdr Tomy is being supported by the Indian Navy and Aquaris
Shipyard for the race, while Cdr (Retd) Dilip Donde, the first Indian to
circumnavigate the world with stops, will be overseeing as the base manager.
Explaining the journey that awaits him, Cdr Abhilash said,
"At the Sagarparikrama (the first circumnavigation), I had used GPS-based maps
and other satellite-based technologies. But at GGR, I have to make do with a
compass, printed maps, and star and planetary movements. There is a solitary HF
radio set for contact. The size of the boat limits the possibility to carry
water. Sir Robin had used rain water and used it, I will have to do the same.
There is no help from the outside world throughout the race."
Here is a quick QnA with Cdr Abhilash:
1. Where are you now? Plan / schedule for next 8 days?
I was in a place called Medemblik in the Netherlands
preparing the boat for the circumnavigation. I sailed out from there on the 5th
of June alone and made it to Falmouth in the UK by the 10th of Jun. I was there
as part of the Golden Globe Race (GGR) race activities such as race briefing
etc. I left from there on the 14th morning and reached Les Sables d’Olonne,
France on 17th June. The sail to Les Sables was with all the other entrants.
There was a friendly race called the SITRAN cup.
The GGR race will start from Les Sables on 01 Jul. During
our stay in Les Sables for next 10 days, we will have safety briefings, safety
inspections, media, introductions, events etc. and of course boat preparations.
2. About Boat & other preparation, what is done, what
is pending
Most of the work is over. We had the first safety check
yesterday and a few things need to be looked into as per the race organisers.
Buying food is pending. And also buying some stuff such as stationary,
toiletries etc.
3. What are you carrying with you for this expedition
Lot of things are to be carried! It is an endless list.
- Almost 1000 meals, including MTR, freeze dry and tinned
food
- A suit of 13 sails
- Two sextants
- Two taffrail logs
- Two automatic watches
- Three trackers
- Two satellite phones
- Lot of charts
- Lot of books
- An MF direction finder
- Two Short wave radio sets
- Lot of communication equipment
- Four 10 kg gas cylinders
- Lot of spares for the engine etc
- About 300 litres of water
- About 140 litres of fuel
There is also a major emphasis on safety due to which we are
taking a lot of safety equipment with us. This is almost four times more than
what i carried in my last round the world. There is also a lot of emphasis
through regular briefings, safety checks etc from the organisers. MSOS will be
providing the medical support while we are at sea.
4. About Sponsors
My entry is mainly sponsored by the Indian Navy. Aquarius
Shipyard Ltd and Goa Shipyard Ltd are important supporter and sponsor.
Equipment sponsors include Elcome (communications), Windpilot (autopilot),
Decathlon (clothing and Jellyfish Water Sports (water maker)
5. How can people track your status
There are various ways to tract my status
- There will be 3 hourly position updates on GGR website
- There will be weekly sound bites on GGR website
- There will be one way text messages from me being posted
on GGR website
- Updates will also be posted on my facebook page through a
media team
6. Since when you are preparing for GGR - since
2016!
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