When Abhilash arrived at the gateway of India on 31 March 2013 he became the only Indian to have successfully completed single-handed and nonstop unassisted circumnavigation of the earth under sail. Abhilash had just spent one hundred and fifty-one days alone at sea sailing around the world in a 17-meter sailboat. In these five months, he had to face severe storms, extreme heat and cold, enormous waves, and life-threatening situations all by himself. Six days later on 6 April 2013, Abhilash was accorded a ceremonial reception by the Hon’ble President of India Siri pronounce Mukherjee at Mumbai – a first for any Indian. 

Statistically, ten times more people have been to space and a hundred times more have summitted the Everest than the number of single-handed non-stop circumnavigators, making a single-handed circumnavigation one of the most difficult adventures known to humanity. This extraordinary feat was hailed by the Hon’ble President of India who lauded Abhilash for displaying “courage, determination and grit of the highest order”.

Abhilash participated in the Golden Globe Race 2018 – a single-handed and non-stop circumnavigation race starting from Les Sables d'Olonne, France using the technology of 1968. 

After 82 days of racing he was lying in 3rd position when his boat was hit by a vicious storm which left him with debilitating spinal fractures in one of the remotest corners of the earth. After a multinational effort, Abhilash was rescued. He has made a full recovery after spine stabilisation surgery and is currently preparing to take part in the next edition of the Golden Globe Race in 2022.

Abhilash has been decorated with the Kirti Chakra, Nau Sena Medal and is a recipient of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, MacGregor Medal, Doctor of Philosophy (hc) and YAI Offshore Sailor of the Year. 

A retired naval officer, Abhilash has served in the Indian Navy as a reconnaissance pilot in two operational squadrons. He is also a prolific writer who has authored two well-received books – “151 Solitary Days at Sea, Sailing Solo Around the World” (English) and “Kadal Ottakku Kshanichappol” (Malayalam), and various articles in English and Malayalam newspapers and magazines. His favourite subject are solitude and sea.