Book title: In Quest of the WindsAuthor: Commodore Azfar HumayunPublisher: Papercraft Publishers Pvt. Ltd.About a year ago, I was part of a conversation with a few sailing enthusiasts who spoke with evident pride about a book then being written in Pakistan. It chronicled the story of a sailing ship operated by the Pakistan Navy — PNS Rah Naward, the Navy’s tall ship — and its remarkable 2014 voyage from Pakistan to the Black Sea. Their anecdotes were rich with the romance of the sea: high-seas challenges, the discipline of life under sail, and the rare blend of maritime tradition and modern naval diplomacy. The discussion was captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed those fragments. They carried an inspiring rhythm, moving between the thrill of wind-powered adventure and the deeper lessons of leadership and command. There was a strong old-school naval ethos running through them, accompanied by reflections on perseverance and teamwork. I remember thinking then that such an epic voyage deserved more than to remain oral lore among sailors. It needed to be captured in a proper book. After reflecting on those conversations, I found myself hoping for the complete narrative. The officer behind the voyage had clearly lived something extraordinary, and while the casual stories were engaging, they hinted at a much richer account waiting to be told. It was therefore a genuine pleasure when, recently, the finished book — In Quest of the Winds — finally appeared. The title itself was evocative. I assumed it referred to the sailor’s eternal pursuit of favorable winds, both literal and metaphorical: the breezes that move a ship and the forces that propel a career forward. The author’s interpretation, however, goes deeper. Commodore Humayun explains that the “winds” represent the unpredictable elements encountered during the ocean-crossing voyage — forces that test a sailor’s skill, judgment, and resolve. Throughout the book, winds symbolise challenge itself: sought after, respected, and sometimes feared, as calm seas can turn hostile without warning. In this sense, In Quest of the Winds reads almost as a meditation on the pursuit of excellence. The subtitle immediately draws the reader in: The story of a Pakistan Navy Captain rising from a middle-order batsman to lead a Tall (Sail) Ship into the Black Sea Regatta. The dedication is equally telling, paying tribute to a mother whose determination shaped the author’s course and a father whose optimism and versatility guided his voyage. The book delivers a winning formula. It is robust and engaging, composed of episodes drawn from the author’s life and career, narrated with clarity, restraint, and quiet determination. Strategy, reflection, and tenacity are balanced naturally, offering a panoramic view of naval life from youth to senior command. Humayun begins with childhood memories — street cricket rivalries in Malir, a chance encounter with an “extra form” that redirected him from a career in engineering to the Pakistan Naval Academy, and the demanding realities of cadet training. As a young officer, he recounts the tension of early days aboard destroyers and the challenges of leadership under pressure. The heart of the narrative lies in the voyage undertaken to participate in the Black Sea Regatta 2014; a 138-day Odyssey. Here, the reader sails through piracy-threatened waters off Somalia, gale-force winds in the Red & Aegean Seas, and the nuanced world of naval diplomacy in ports ranging from Salalah to Novorossiysk. As Captain, Humayun leads his crew through Mediterranean storms and competitive racing in the Black Sea. Each episode carries a lesson — sometimes hard-earned — on command, teamwork, and decision-making. The supporting cast is vividly drawn: a steadfast navigator detecting cyclones and shallow waters, a resourceful Marine Engineer Officer keeping vital systems running mid-voyage, and eager trainees climbing masts for the first time. There is an overconfident pilot in Izmir, a borrowed barber from an escorting destroyer, and the ever-present forces of weather that shadow the ship like silent adversaries. Above all, the collective spirit of the crew emerges as a central strength. The narrative shifts smoothly between tactical details and reflective insights. Near-disaster looms during a close call in Izmir, where overconfidence nearly leads to grounding. Elsewhere, the sea reveals its indifference, reminding the reader that mastery is always temporary. Throughout the book, we glimpse a Pakistan Navy that is professional, adaptable, and quietly inspiring. The episodes feel like moments frozen in time — snapshots from a voyage that remains epic even as it feels distant. Even in action-packed chapters, Humayun’s contemplative voice surfaces, hinting at deeper truths about resilience, purpose, and maritime diplomacy. Reading between the lines, the sea’s unforgiving nature is ever present: rising winds, mounting risks, and persistent uncertainty. The chapters on foreign ports, particularly Turkey and Russia, describe cultural exchange, hospitality, bureaucratic challenges, and shared maritime heritage. Though drawn from a decade-old voyage, these encounters feel strikingly current and familiar. In Quest of the Winds is, ultimately, a quintessential naval memoir — a story of pursuit in every sense. It fulfills precisely what those early conversations had promised. Commodore Humayun mines a rich seam of adventure with confidence and restraint. The natural conclusion is to hope for a sequel — another volume that carries the story forward, charting the later chapters of a career well navigated and generously shared.• The writer is a HR consultant by profession and an avid sportsman/ reader by passion.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
|
Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.
