Indian crosses halfway mark in solo sailing adventure
January 15th, 2010 - 9:15 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) Indian Navy’s Commander Dilip Dhonde, who is the first Indian attempting solo circumnavigation of the globe, Friday crossed the halfway mark after completing a voyage of 14,000 nautical miles, navy officials said here.
Dhonde, who started sailing from Christchurch (New Zealand) Dec 12, 2009, arrived at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands Friday.
“This was the third leg of his voyage and he covered about 5,000 nautical miles in it. With arrival at Falkland Islands, Dhonde has crossed the halfway mark,” a senior Indian Navy official said.
Dhonde is likely to start the next leg of his voyage Jan 29 after tending to maintenance requirements.
“He will make his next port of call and the last en-route halt at Cape Town (South Africa),” the official added.
Dhonde, 42, embarked on the solo circumnavigation of the world Aug 19 this year from Mumbai in the vessel named ‘Mhadei’. Less than 300 people the world over have succeeded in this endeavour till date, and this is the first such attempt of an Indian.
Dhonde’s vessel, during her voyage of over 21,600 nautical miles (38,880 km) under sail, will take on the exceptional winds and swells prevalent especially below 60 degree South latitude called the “Screaming 60s”.
“This feat is often compared to conquering the Everest, yet ironically is one that requires greater mettle and much longer time. The perils of the capricious sea and the vagaries of the unpredictable weather in a lonely sailboat become the canvas where this Herculean challenge to the human spirit unravels,” the official added.
‘Mhadei’ will sail for approximately nine months, stopping at only four ports - Fremantle (Australia), Christchurch (New Zealand), Port Stanley (Falklands) and Cape Town (South Africa) before returning to Mumbai.
There are four pre-requisites to qualify for a circumnavigation voyage. The voyage should end in the same port one sails from - Mumbai in this case - crossing all the meridians of longitude at least once and the equator at least twice, the distance covered should be more than the length of a meridian (21,600 nautical miles), the boat should not pass through any canals or straits, where use of engines or towing would be unavoidable. And fourth, the boat should round the three Great Capes - Cape Leeuwin (Australia), Cape Horn (South America) and Cape of Good Hope (Africa).
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- Dilip Donde is first Indian to sail solo around the world - May 22, 2010
- Indian Navy's solo round-the-world sailing mission from Aug 19 - Aug 10, 2009
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- Navy's 'Mhadei' to sail non-stop from Goa to Cape Town - Nov 24, 2010
- Circumnavigating Indian vessel leaves South Africa for Mumbai (With Image) - Apr 07, 2010
- Vice President Ansari honours 'Sagar Parikrma' hero Commander Donde - May 22, 2010
- Celebrating 25 years of India's first globe sailing expedition (With images) - Jan 10, 2012
- Donde wants his round-the-world trip boat to sail on - Sep 17, 2011
- Indian Navy sailor on a solo global voyage - Aug 12, 2009
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