The Indian Naval Officer rescued by a French vessel; found in a stable condition
After being stranded in the Indian Ocean for over 3 days, Indian yachtsman, Abhilash Tomy, was rescued safely. He was competing in the Golden Globe race. His vessel Thuriya was hit several times by 80 mph winds and 46-foot seas midway across the South Indian Ocean. The storm had left Abhilash injured and his yacht severely damaged. He was 3rd in the competition when the incident occurred.
Having seen his satellite phone damage in the storm, Tomy was successful in communicating through a texting unit. In his first message, he informed he had a severe back injury thus making him immobile. He also added he was unable to eat or drink properly.
“ACTIVATED EPIRB. CANT WALK. MIGHT NEED STRETCHER,” Tomy said in his first satellite text message on Saturday.
Later, on Sunday, he again texted the race organizers, stating “Lugged cans of ice tea, having them. Vomiting continuously. Chest burning”.
Abhilash #Tomy (via satellite) 5LUGGED CANS OF ICETEA. HAVING THAT.VOMITTING CONT.CHEST BURNIN / BACS À BILLES DE THÉ ICED. AYANT QUE VOMISSEMENT CONT.CHEST BURNING https://t.co/oIOKa2le6m
— Golden Globe Race 2018 (@ggr2018official) September 23, 2018
The rescue mission
As the news of Abhilash’s stranding came forward, navies and rescue teams from around the world considered ways in which to rescue him. But the first to reach him was a French fisheries patrol vessel, Osiris. Australian and Indian P8 Poseidon aircrafts had been keeping a close watch on the 39-year-old officer’s vessel in the meantime.
Stunning. Video from an @indiannavy P-8I Poseidon captures the #Osiris crew’s dramatic mid-Ocean rescue of Cdr #AbhilashTomy earlier today. pic.twitter.com/I4vBQeWQEp
— Sandeep (@SandeepUnnithan) September 24, 2018
Consequently, he is stable and conscious, according to the organizers.
REPORT JUST IN from JRCC they have him BRAVO!! OSIRIS AND ALL INVOLVED! They have Tomy Onboard and he is conscious and talking…FANTASTIC NEWS..WELL DONE ALL INVOLVED INCREDIBLE NEWS!!!!https://t.co/w0ykzwrfX3
— Golden Globe Race 2018 (@ggr2018official) September 24, 2018
Abhilash Tomy
Commander Abhilash is an old patron of the non-stop round-the-world races. In fact, he is the first Indian and second Asian to successfully complete a solo, unassisted race.
He set this record on 31 March 2012, 151 days after leaving from Gateway of India, Mumbai. He had traveled 23,100 nautical miles.
Tomy was awarded the Kirti Chakra (second highest peacetime gallantry award in India) and the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. In 2013, he also received the MacGregor Medal.
The Golden Globe Race
The 2018 Golden Globe race is a round the world sailing race. It commenced on 1 July 2018, Les Sables-d’Olonne, a seaside town in western France.
All the participants had to sail eastward through the Atlantic ocean, leaving Les Sables-d’Olonne for Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Thereafter, leaving for Cape Leeuwin in Australia and Cape Horn in Chile before returning back to Les Sables-d’Olonne. Abhilash was on his way to Cape Leeuwin when the incident occurred.
The participants cannot use any major electronic types of equipment including GPS, thus making the race difficult. Also, the equipment available to Sir Robin Knox-Johnstonin the original race in 1968–69 are only allowed.
Therefore, the participants cannot avail the benefits of modern technology or benefit of satellite-based navigation aids. Tomy’s rescue operation was tough due to this very reason.
Thuriya
Thuriya is a replica of the 1968 yacht used by Robin Knox-Johnston for the Sunday Golden Globe race. It’s a Bermudan ketch type of vessel.
The famous shipyard, Aquaris Shipyard, built Thuriya in Goa. It is made entirely of the wood core, laminated with fiberglass and epoxy. It’s length is 32 ft and the displacement is 8,845 kg.
Tomy would be treated at Ile Amsterdam. Thereafter, INS Satpura will escort him back to India.
INS Satpura to pick up #AbhilashTomy at Amsterdam island later this week. pic.twitter.com/PzKPdxJfa4
— Sandeep (@SandeepUnnithan) September 24, 2018
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