An Irish sailor and his injured rival evacuated from the Indian Ocean


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Latest: A wounded Indian sailor and an Irish rival who helped him during the Golden Globe race are being evacuated in the Indian Ocean.

Abhilash Tomy is safe on a French fishing boat that is now heading for Gregor McGuckin, a spokesman for McGuckin told the Press Association.

"The ship is now en route to Gregor for controlled evacuation, not rescue," he said.

Gregor McGuckin. Photo by Peter Houlihan Photography

The mast of Tomy's yacht, Thuriya, broke on Friday during a storm in the Indian Ocean and the boater suffered what he termed "serious back injury". .

The 39-year-old Indian Navy commander was "locked on his bunk inside his boat", some 3,704 kilometers from Western Australia, the race organizers said.

McGuckin, 32, from Dublin, was dismantled in the same storm.

The Golden Globe race was posted on his Facebook page this morning: "Just refer … they have it … Bravo, they have Tomy aboard and he's conscious and talking, fantastic news … congratulations to all, incredible news. "

In a statement, the Golden Globe Race said: "The French fishing patrol Osiris has reached Tomy's yacht at 5:30 UTC today and long-range Australian and Indian P8 Orion reconnaissance planes are flying overhead.

Gregor McGuckin, the skipper of GGR, whose yacht Hanley Energy Endurance was also dismantled last week, makes 2.2 knots to Thuriya, sailing under the will of the jurors.The 32-year-old Irishman is still 25 miles from the West and in radio contact with the reconnaissance aircraft, he is not in distress but has requested a controlled evacuation of his yacht.

"Facing a 1,900-mile sail across the Southern Ocean to Western Australia under a small jury bench and without an engine (its fuel was contaminated when the ship sank), this decision is made by a professional sailor The alternative would have been to continue to navigate solo without the aid of the self-regulation system (also crushed during the capsizing) and to risk having to resort to the emergency services in the event of long-term disability.

"Once the two solo sailors are safe aboard the Osiris, the French patrol ship will go to the island of Amsterdam where rescued sailors will undergo a thorough medical examination.

Earlier: Attempt to rescue a solitaire with a broken mast and serious injuries

A French ship is trying to rescue an Indian sailor unable to move with a back injury and alone in the South Indian Ocean.

Abhilash's ship Tomy Thuriya lost his mast during a storm while competing in the Golden Globe solo round the world race.

The race organizers shared messages on Twitter where he described his chest burning, throwing up and asking for a "rescue ETA".

The Osiris fishing patrol boat is heading for the help of the Indian Navy officer for 740 kilometers (460 miles).

The yacht is located in Australia's Search and Rescue Zone 3 500 kilometers southwest of the Australian city of Perth and 3 000 kilometers southeast of the French island of Reunion.

Phil Gaden, Research and Rescue of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, said the challenge could be unfair.

"It will be a very difficult situation on board," Gaden said.

"The yacht is badly damaged with gear hanging on its side.

"We know he has very bad back pain and we think he's very limited in his ability to maneuver. We also know that he has trouble keeping liquids. "

The conditions were reasonably good for the sector with a southwesterly wind blowing at 46 km / h (29 mph) and a 3 meter (10 foot) swell, Gaden said.

"This is one of the most remote areas of the planet, almost equidistant from search and rescue facilities," Gaden said.

"At the moment, we have the impression that it is straight and floats high in the water, but at any moment, a wave could push one of the damaged masts into the boat and compromise its integrity," he said. added.

Commander Tomy, 39, remained in contact with the relief authorities through text, but the batteries on both his aircraft were down.

The French crew is planning to take Commander Tomy to a French research center on the island of Amsterdam, 100 kilometers to the north. There is a doctor and a small hospital on the island.

An Australian naval frigate, HMAS Ballarat, left the Australian port of Fremantle on Saturday and was due to reach the island of Amsterdam on Friday, Gaden said.

The Ballarat would then lead the sailor to Fremantle for hospital treatment.

Another Golden Globe Race rider, Irishman Gregor McGuckin, also lost his mast on Friday near Commander Tomy and would also be saved.

– Press Association

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