Search and rescue operations were carried out by the Indian Navy as well as Austrailan Defence Forces for Indian Navy officer and participant in Golden Globe Race, Abhilash Tomy, who suffered severe back injury when his vessel was demasted in extremely rough weather and sea condition. Early morning on Saturday, Commander Tomy sent a text, “ROLLED. DISMASTED. SEVERE BACK INJURY. CANNOT GET UP.”, following which a code red alert was issued and Australian Maritime Safety Authority got into action for helping in rescue of Commander Tommy, about 3,000 kms off Perth in South Indian Ocean.
On 22nd September, his location was shared by journalist Shiv Aroor along with details of multi-country rescue operations put in place for Commander Tomy.
Major rescue effort now for @IndianNavy’s @AbhilashTomy, who suffered a severe back injury in nightmare weather and is debilitated in his boat in one of the most isolated, weather-hostile parts of the Indian Ocean. Aircraft & warship from India en route, ship from Australia too. pic.twitter.com/yjuwBtsAsl
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 22, 2018
In a heartwarming message, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Commander, Australian Fleet, sent out a message to his batchmates informing he has sent one of Australia’s warships to rescue Commander Tomy. “We will find your man,” he said in his message.
“We will find your man”. Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, Commander, Australian Fleet, sent this message out some hours ago to his NDC batchmates from 2007. Absolutely heartening words reflecting the spirit of camaraderie uniting navies across the seas. @indiannavy @AusHCIndia pic.twitter.com/qpM27DAFns
— Sandeep (@SandeepUnnithan) September 22, 2018
With 70 knot winds, 14 metre high seas, Commander Tomy was facing one of the most terrifying experiences even as he laid immobile in his yacht, Thuriya.
On 23rd September, Royal Australian Navy tweeted that their HMAS Ballarat was on its way to assist Commander Tomy.
HMAS Ballarat is on its way assist an injured solo yachtsman, approximately 1800 nautical miles off the WA coast. The sailor, an officer in the Indian Navy is understood to have suffered a serious back injury when his ten metre vessel, “Thuriya” was de-masted in extreme weather. pic.twitter.com/e5zgO6F7bj
— RoyalAustralianNavy (@Australian_Navy) September 23, 2018
A little while later, Indian Navy’s P-8I located Commander Tomy in the Southern Indian Ocean.
Excellent news. An @IndianNavy P-8I has located @AbhilashTomy in the southern Indian Ocean. The aircraft made a stopover in Mauritius. pic.twitter.com/wQ7e4isTRQ
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 23, 2018
And sent across images.
First pictures just in of @AbhilashTomy’s boat. Images from an @IndianNavy P-8I flying over the location in the southern Indian Ocean. pic.twitter.com/vAOtS3eBCC
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 23, 2018
Commander Tomy was surviving only on iced tea as he had not had a drop of water since he was injured.
Cdr Abhilash Tomy has not had a drop of water since injury. He cannot communicate with rescue planes as marine VHF radio batteries dead. Nonstop watch over his boat Thurayi by Indian and Australian military planes.
— Rahul Singh (@rahulsinghx) September 23, 2018
Few hours back, French ship Osiris was all set to launch 2 Zodiac boats to reach Commander Tomy and administer first aid. Once the injury and his medical condition is assessed, the Australian authorities will decide whether to remove him from the Yacht or to tow the vessel, most likely to Amsterdam which is about 180 km away. Earlier, he had sent a message he could move his toes, but feels numb. He said he has not eaten or drank anything and that he would need a stretcher.
Commander Abhilash Tomy, who was traced by an Indian Navy Reconnaissance aircraft, was successfully rescued by French vessel Osiris on Monday.
