Indian Navy has dispatched its stealth frigate INS Satpura to rescue navy officer Abhilash Tomy who is severely injured and is battling waves on a boat on the high seas in southern Indian Ocean.
Abhilash Tomy (39) is a Commander with Indian Navy and is currently competing in the 2018 Golden Globe Race which involves a gruelling 30,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe. Abhilash is one of India's prominent sailors and a recipient of the Kirti Chakra.
His yacht was caught in extremely rough weather. He sent a distress signal on Friday evening conveying that the mast of his yacht had broken. He said that he had suffered a severe back injury and couldn't get up. He is approximately 1,900 nautical miles away from Perth in Australia.
Spokesperson of Indian Navy tweeted that INS Satpura has been diverted to rescue Abhilash.
Indian Navy stealth frigate #INS Satpura, mission deployed in Southern Indian Ocean diverted for the rescue mission @DefenceMinIndia @ggr2018official @nsitharaman @abhilashtomy @PMOIndia
SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) September 22, 2018
Twitter handle @abhilashtomy tweeted that though Abhilash sustained serious injuries, he was safe inside the boat and that his tracker was working.
Thank you for your support and concern in these trying times. Abhilash has sustained some serious back injuries, however he says he's safe inside the boat. Indian Navy is doing their best as they always have. His tracker is working. He has activated the EPIRB. Help is on its way.
Abhilash Tommy (@abhilashtomy) September 22, 2018
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