Golden Globe Race solo sailor Abhilash Tomy has been rescued after his yacht dismasted in a violent Southern Ocean Storm on Friday (21 September).
French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris reached Tomy’s yacht Thuriya at 05:30 UTC today (Monday 24 September) in favourable conditions, with 15-20 knots from the south-west, two-metre swells and good visibility.
After liaising with a doctor, the French crew boarded Thuriya to administer immediate first-aid and assess his condition.
Tomy (39), a commander in the Indian navy, has been confined to his bunk and unable to move since his yacht was rolled through 360° and dismasted in a vicious storm last Friday. It’s understood that he has sustained a serious back injury.
Fellow Golden Globe skipper Gregor McGuckin, whose yacht Hanley Energy Endurance was also dismasted in the same storm last week, was making 2.2 knots towards Thuriya’s position as of this morning, sailing under jury rig, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.
The 32-year old Irishman is still 25 miles to the west and in radio contact with the reconnaissance aircraft. He is not in distress but has asked for a controlled evacuation from his yacht — a decision described by Golden Globe Race officials as “responsible”.
Once the two solo yachtsmen are safely aboard the Osiris, the French fisheries patrol ship will proceed to Amsterdam Island, where the rescued sailors will be given a full medical examination.
