LPC Welcomes Indian Solo Round The World Sailor

Lyttelton Port of Christchurch (LPC) is set to welcome solo circumnavigator Commander Dilip Donde of the Indian Navy to the port at 10am on Saturday 21 November 2009.

Commander Donde began his historic voyage on 19 August from Mumbai. He will be the first Indian to have ever completed a solo circumnavigation of the world and he is doing it under the power of sails.

The voyage is a 22,500 nautical mile journey and it is expected to take at least seven months.

LPC Chief Executive Peter Davie says the whole team is excited about the arrival of the INSV Mhadei.

“Commander Donde is only visiting four ports on his world journey so we are privileged to have him call on us here at Lyttelton,” he says. “It is an amazing feat of physical endurance and mental toughness to undertake such a challenging adventure.

“Commander Donde is the first solo circumnavigator to visit us so LPC staff will definitely be on hand to welcome him in. It is fantastic to see the local community getting right in behind the sailor and we are sure he will enjoy his stay in Christchurch.”

Lyttelton based Independent Provedoring is providing accommodation and a vehicle for Commander Done for the duration of his stay in New Zealand.

The INSV Mhadei, named after the river Mhadei in the Indian state of Goa, is a 17.1m long yacht and features a set of six sails. Commander Donde’s first port of call was Freemantle on 24 September 2009.

Commander Donde will depart for the Falkland Islands after his two week stopover in Lyttelton, where his girlfriend is expected to meet him. His sole travelling companion for the gruelling trip has a soft tweety bird toy.

ENDS

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