Then came Commander Abhilash Tomy in 2013. Building on Capt Donde’s voyage, he set off from Mumbai on November 1, 2012, and returned 151 days later without a single stop, covering over 23,000 nautical miles. It was a historic feat — the first by an Indian, and the second by any Asian.Around the same time, the Navy saw the need for a dedicated sailing institution within its ranks. In July 2016, the Ocean Sailing Node was established at INS Mandovi. It became a hub for expeditions, dinghy-to-seaboat training, and annual races featuring naval sailing vessels.In 2017, the Navy launched an all-woman circumnavigation mission aboard INSV Tarini under the OSN banner. It marked a significant step for Nari Shakti. The next phase — Navika Sagar Parikrama II — would feature Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A.In September 2023, the Navy officially announced Sagar Parikrama IV — a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation to be attempted by either of the two women officers.To prepare them, the Navy brought in none other than Cdr Abhilash Tomy (retd), whose 2012 journey had laid the foundation for their own. Having just returned after a podium finish in the Golden Globe Race — the world’s most grueling solo sailing event — his mentorship couldn’t have come at a better time.”Before Cdr Abhilash came on board, we trained with various skippers,” Lt Cdr Dilna said. “But once he joined us, everything levelled up. His insights were invaluable. He didn’t just teach technical skills — he helped us prepare mentally.”Roopa agreed. “He believed in our potential, and that belief changed the game. His understanding of the psychological side of sailing — dealing with solitude, stress — was vital.”In February 2024, the two set off for Mauritius in double-handed mode — the first transoceanic sortie of its kind by Indian women. It was a 2,700-mile continuous passage, their toughest yet.”They’d sailed from Goa to Port Blair and back before,” a Navy source said. “But this was open ocean.”Cdr Abhilash called it their “final exam”.
Source link
