What It Took To Save Abhilash Tomy, Unable To Move From His Bunk On Yacht

NEW DELHI: Indian Navy’s yachtsman, Commander Abhilash Tomy, has been rescued after grueling three days of treacherous seas in the Indian Ocean. The 39-year-old was competing in a nonstop, 30,000 mile solo circumnavigation, the 2018 Golden Globe Race, when his boat was de-masted, severely injuring his back and rendering him immobile.

His boat, ‘Thuriya’ was damaged in the storm about 1,900 nautical miles from Perth, Australia.

The Australian Rescue Coordination Centre at Canberra was coordinating the rescue mission in cooperation with many agencies, including the Australian Defence Department and the Indian Navy.

The Indian Navy had deployed its P-8I surveillance aircraft to as part of the rescue mission, officials said.

“He will be picked up by French vessel Osiris shortly… Weather creating impediments,” the spokesman had said earlier today.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier tweeted Sunday that Commander Tomy shall be picked up in the next 16 hours by the French vessel.

The minister had also said she had spoken to vice-chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P regarding the condition of the injured navy officer.

“… The rescue mission is being coordinated with the Australian Navy. The injured officer shall be picked up in the next 16 hours by a French vessel Osiris,” Sitharaman had said.