The Navy said the officer, Commander Abhilash Tomy is in the south Indian Ocean, approximately 1900 nautical miles from Perth.
Country’s first solo circumnavigator Commander Abhilash Tomy’s boat has been damaged in a cyclone and a search mission has been launched in the Indian Ocean while he was participating India in a global race.
“Tomy is representing India in the Golden Globe Race 2018(GGR) on an indigenously built sailing vessel ‘Thuriya’ which was dismasted and he has suffered a back injury yesterday,” a Navy official said.
“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,” the Navy said.
The Navy said the officer 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).
Cdr ’s location approx 3000 km west of Perth. One of the remotest parts of the Southern IOR. Hope the rescue planes and ships find him fast. pic.twitter.com/IpbLw735f6
— Sandeep (@SandeepUnnithan)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 third 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.
Tomy, in his last message via Sat Phone, has indicated that he is safe on the boat, however, is immobile due to back injury.
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