‘CANT WALK. MIGHT NEED STRETCHER’: Rescue mission underway for solo sailor off WA coast
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has joined an international search and rescue mission for an injured solo yachtsman who is strandedin remote waters off Western Australia after a storm during an around-the-world race.
Key points:
- Golden Globe Race competitor Abhilash Tomy was hurt in bad weather in the Indian Ocean
- Several countries are involved in an air and sea search for his stricken yacht
- The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating the rescue
Solo skipper Abhilash Tomy, an officer in the Indian Navy, was taking part in the Golden Globe Race when his 10-metre vessel Thuriya was de-masted in the southern Indian Ocean, about 1,800 nautical miles (3,300 kilometres)south-west of Perth.
It is understood he suffered a serious back injury.
Tomy sent a satellite text message on Saturday, saying: "ACTIVATED EPIRB. CANT WALK. MIGHT NEED STRETCHER", race organisers said in a statement.
A subsequent message read: "CAN MOVE TOES. FEEL NUMB. CAN'T EAT OR DRINK. TOUGH 2 REACH GRAB BAG".
The ADF said the Royal Australian Navy Frigate, HMAS Ballarat, sailed from Perth on Saturday night for the 39-year-old's last known location.
"The ship joins a P-8A Poseidon from the Adelaide-based Surveillance and Response Group [from the] Royal Australian Air Force, which has been deployed to La Reunion Island, France, to assist in the search," the ADF said in a statement.
"These ADF assets are well suited to undertake maritime search and rescue missions during times of extreme weather.
"Defence support is being provided following a request from the Australian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre."
Plane, French fishing vessel, Indian frigate also sent
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which is coordinating the recovery of the naval officer, confirmed that the de-masted yacht has now been sighted by a number of aircraft deployed in the rescue.
Organisers said the executive jet from Perth would reach the area of the yacht on Sunday.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is coordinating the rescue after Tomy's yacht was damaged during the round-the-world race.
An AMSA spokesman said they had arranged for a nearby French fisheries patrol vessel to go to the scene.
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, according to organisers.
Other racing yachts may be able to check on the yacht in the meantime.
Tomy became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe when he achieved the feat in 2013, his website says.
AAP/ABC
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