'As far from help as you can possibly be': solo sailor waiting for rescue off WA coast

He is communicating with Golden Globe Race authorities via satellite text message, but is immobilised without food or water and is stuck in his bunk.

Organisers said his primary satellite phone was damaged while he could not get to a second satellite phone and another YB3 texting unit in his emergency kit.

He was taking part in the solo around-the-world race when he sent a message that was received on Saturday.

"ACTIVATED EPIRB. CANT WALK. MIGHT NEED STRETCHER", it said.

A subsequent message read: "CAN MOVE TOES. FEEL NUMB. CAN'T EAT OR DRINK. TOUGH 2 REACH GRAB BAG".

The race departed Les Sables-d’Olonne in France on July 1 and competitors must sail solo, non-stop around the world via the five Great Capes, returning to Les Sables-d’Olonne.

Entrants must sail yachts similar to that which was used by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston during the historic 1968/9 world-first solo non-stop circumnavigation. That means sailing without modern technology or the benefit of satellite based navigation aids.

Organisers said the event travelled back to a time known as the "Golden Age" of solo sailing.

"The challenge is pure and very raw, placing adventure ahead of winning at all costs. It is for 'those who dare', just as it was for Sir Robin," the organisers said.

The Australian Defence Force has sent multiple assets to help rescue him but French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris is expected to reach him first. The French ship has medical facilities on board.

Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Ballarat sailed from Perth on Saturday night and joins a P-8A Poseidon from the Adelaide based Surveillance and Response Group Royal Australian Air Force, which has been deployed to La Reunion Island, France.

An Indian Navy stealth frigate, operating in the Indian Ocean, has also been diverted for the rescue mission along with an Indian tanker and military plane, race organisers said.

A private jet was also sent from Perth to the remote waters in the southern Indian Ocean.

Mr Tomy is not the only solo sailor in the race to have struck trouble.

The challenge is pure and very raw, placing adventure ahead of winning at all costs. It is for ‘those who dare’, just as it was for Sir Robin.

Golden Globe Race organisers

Irish yachtsman Gregor McGuckin made a satellite phone call to race organisers early on Sunday to report he had used his spinnaker pole to form a simple jury rig after his yacht was damaged, and his engine kept stopping.

Race organisers said the engine issues might have been caused by fuel contamination when the yacht was rolled and dismasted on Friday.

His wind vane self-steering was smashed by the falling mast but he was also heading towards the injured sailor to help.

Estonian skipper Uku Randmaa would take three days to reach the area, but also planed to assist.

Organisers said the rest of the race fleet had headed north to avoid a second vicious storm approaching from the west. They would experience big swells and strong winds, but nothing like the middle fleet experienced over the past 24 hours.

Mr Tomy was the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2013, his website says.

With AAP