The main voyage (Solo Circumnavigation) was flagged off from Mumbai on 19 Aug 09 by the CNS. The yacht ‘Mhadei’ touched only the following four ports enroute - Fremantle, Christchurch, Port Stanley and Cape Town before entering Mumbai on 22 Apr 10. Cdr Dilip Donde has brought laurels to the Navy as well as to the Nation by successfully completing the Solo circumnavigation onboard INSV Mhadei. He is the first Indian to have circumnavigated the globe covering a distance of approx 24,000 nautical miles from west to east through the Southern hemisphere. The endeavor to sail around the world, solo, requires both physical and mental fitness of highest degree. The voyage was a true test of competence, bravery, resilience and a will to conquer. During the expedition, the officer negotiated waves upto 25-30 feet, winds gusting upto 90nm per hour, heavy rains and even equipment failures due to storms. With successful completion of the voyage a new and important chapter to enrich the fine maritime traditions of India has been written. The route of the voyage is depicted below
Cape to Rio Race. Post grand feat of solo circumnavigation, INSV Mhadei participated in the Cape to Rio ocean sailing race from 15 Jan – 11 Feb 11. The race was scheduled between Cape Town, South Africa and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
