Commander Abhilash Tomy KC of the Indian Navy, representing India in the Golden Globe Race 2018 (GGR) on an indigenously built sailing vessel ‘Thuriya’ was dismasted and suffered a back injury on 21 Sep 2018. He is in the south Indian Ocean, approximately 1900 nautical miles from Perth, Australia and 2700 nm (approx 5020 kms on ground) from Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari).
The Australian Rescue Coordination Centre at Canberra is coordinating the rescue mission in conjunction with many agencies including the Australian Defence Department and the Indian Navy.
Commander Abhilash Tomy’s boat Thuriya, was dismasted in extremely rough weather and sea condition, with wind speeds of 130 kmph and 10 metre high waves. He was in 3rd position, out of 11 international participants, and has sailed over 10,500 nautical miles in the last 84 days; since commencement of the race on 01 Jul 2018.
All out efforts are being made to rescue Commander Abhilash Tomy. Indian Naval stealth frigate, INS Satpura with a Chetak Helicopter and tanker INS Jyoti mission deployed/operating in the Indian Ocean have been dispatched for the rescue mission. Tomy, in his last message via Sat Phone has indicated that he is safe on the boat, however is immobile due to back injury.
