Mahesh Ramchandran

Commander Mahesh Ramchandran (born 2 June 1967) is a retired Indian Naval Officer. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, with a Bachelor of Science degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Mahesh was awarded the Arjuna Award on 29 August 2002 for the year 2001. This was conferred to him by the then President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

Career and recognition

He started his Naval Career with the Indian Naval Air Arm as a jet pilot.

In 1994, he received a Commendation by the then Chief of Naval Staff for the Sport of Sailing. He began his sailing career in the Hyderabad Sailing Week. In 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001 he was given the Yachtsman of the Year Award by the President, Yachting Association of India. He participated in the 2002 Asian Games and won a bronze medal for India in the Enterprise class of the boat along with the team of Aashim Mongia.

In the Asian Games 2006 in the Match Racing class he won a silver medal for India skippering the event with team of Sanjeev Chauhan, Girdhari Yadav and Nitin Mongia. In the World Military Games in 2007, he won a Gold in Match Racing. In the World Sailing Championships in 1999 held in South Africa, he won a silver medal for the country. In the Asian Sailing Championships in 2001, 2006, 2010 and 2012 he won Gold, Silver and bronze medals for India.

In 2009, he was selected by the Navy to conduct Sailing Trials of INSV Mhadei which has successfully completed two solo circumnavigation by Indians. In 2010, he was the first Officer-in-Charge of the Watermanship Training Centre at the Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala. At the Academy, he instituted the Admirals Cup Regatta, an Inter-Navy Sailing Championship. He has also been the National Coach for the Olympic Laser Class Association of India, Matchracing Class and Enterprise Class. Boat capsized in Maldives On March 20 2026, a speedboat carrying seven people capsized near Felidhoo islands of the Maldives. Passenger's names are: Ramchandran, Captain of the speedboat, Jagdish Singh Aithani, Manik Bhimsen Bhardwaj, Gautam Singhania, Hari Singh 59, unnamed UK woman and unnamed Russian woman. The speedboat belongs to the yacht named Ashena owned by Gautam Singhania.

Ramchandran and Hari Singh were reported missing after a boat accident in Maldives. Ramchandran is the captain of the yacht. Singhania survived the accident. Bhardwaj lost his arm to amputation from the injury suffered in the boat capsize. Ramchandran is fondly remembered by his work colleagues and team mates. Abhilash Tomy, a retired Navy commander said “He (Mahesh) was a great competitor and sailor. He was at his peak when I started sailing, so I was able to get a glimpse of him at his best." Search for the two missing people were suspended on March 28, 2026.