Panaji, May 16: Indian Navy Lt Cdr Abhilah Tomy was on wednesday felicitated by Goa governor BV Wanchoo for recently completing the first Indian solo unassisted circumnavigation of the earth aboard the sailing boat ‘Mhadei' at a function organized by Goa yachting association in Panaji today.
Tomy, a maritime reconnaissance pilot, went on to complete Sagar Parikrama II, a 150 days non-stop solo circumnavigation of the earth from November 1, 2012 to April 6, 2013.
Tomy said the Goa-built boat he sailed aboard was the reason he could perform the voyage without any accidents.
Tomy said along his journey, he had to sail through treacherous seas, stormy cyclonic-speed winds, and equatorial parts of the oceans that see high temperatures.
The 56-foot INSV Mhadei, is the first boat of this size and complexity to be built in India. It was built by Ratnakar Dandekar of Aquarius Fibreglas, at his shipyard at Divar.
He said the best moment of his voyage was sailing through the Cape Horn on India's Republic Day and hoisting the Indian flag on the INSV Mhadei.
He said his preparation for the trip first included a voyage to Brazil.
