Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Mhadei was flagged off from Cape Town on Jan 4, 2014 to participate in the Cape2Rio Yachting Race 2014. Skippered by the highly decorated Commander Dilip Donde, the first Indian solo circumnavigator Mhadei has a crew of four, including Commander MVV Satish, the trainee skipper, Commander TGS Bedi and, for the first time, a lady officer Lieutenant Commander Shweta Kapur.
This is a beginning of a new chapter in maritime history of India as an Indian lady is undertaking ocean sailing half way across the globe. The race that has begun from Cape Town, South Africa will terminate at Rio de Janerio, Brazil and has over 30 boats participating.
On completion of the race, INSV Mhadei will shape its return leg to Goa, with a crew turn around at Rio and at Cape Town. One lady officer will be part of the crew in each leg of the voyage. By the time Mhadei returns to Goa the Indian Navy would have trained three lady officers in the art of ocean sailing. These lady officers will form the core team of a prospective all women crew for a circumnavigation of the globe. A subsequent solo circumnavigation of the globe by a lady officer is also planned.
INSV Mhadei set sail from Goa, India on 25 Nov 2013 and arrived in Cape Town on 27 Dec after an arduous journey of over 5000 miles. It may be recalled that Mhadei is an Indian built yacht that was delivered to the Indian Navy in February 2009 by Aquarius Fibreglass at Goa.
In the four years since, Mhadei has logged over 80,000 nms, has been part of two solo circumnavigations; first in 2009 to 10 under Commander Dilip Dhonde, and then non-stop in 2012 to 13 under Lieutenant Commander Abhilash Tomy. The 17.1 metre, 23 tonne boat built of wood core fibre glass has a 25 metre mast. It has five sails one each of mainsail, Genoa, Jib, two Gennakers and a Storm Jib. Mhadei’s association with the Mother City has been long. Much of her equipment, including mast and rigging, sails etc. have been sourced from Cape Town and have stood her in good stead during her circumnavigations.
