Indian Navy officer to sail around globe solo and non-stop

Naval officer Commander Abhilash Tomy Abhilash Tomy will sail around the world, solo and non-stop, as part of the prestigious Golden Globe Race (GGR) that commenced from Les Sables d'Olonne harbour in France today.

"The uniqueness of the race is that boat designs and technology newer than 1968 are not permitted. Hence, the use of Global Positioning System (GPS), satellite communication, navigational aids, etc are forbidden," the Navy said in an official statement.

Tomy, one of India's prominent sailors and a recipient of the Kirti Chakra, is the only participant from Asia.

He has already covered 53,000 nautical miles under sail, including a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 2012-13 on board Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Mhadei.

The Golden Globe Race is being conducted by Sir Robin Knox Johnston of the UK to commemorate 50 years of the world's first solo non-stop circumnavigation undertaken by him in 1968 on board the Indian built boat, Suhaili.