Kochi: Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy, who was injured while participating in the Golden Globe Race, was brought to Visakhapatnam safely onboard Indian Navy vessel INS Satpura.
The vessel, which started off with Tomy on board on September 28, was later rerouted to Vizag for the treatment of the injured sailor at the Naval Hospital there.
Cdr Tomy has now been shifted to INHS Kalyani, the naval hospital of the Eastern Naval Command.
The 39-year-old was rescued by a French vessel on September 25 after his non-motorised yacht was
damaged in a storm on the South Indian Ocean on September 21 while competing in the prestigious race.
Tomy was drifting for nearly three days in his 32-feet yacht, 'Thuriya,' which was damaged in a storm, before he was rescued by French fishing vessel 'Osiris'.
'Thuriya' had tossed in the face of high tides before stabilising. Tomy texted through satellite-based device requesting for evacuation stating his back was injured and he was unable to move.
The Australian Rescue Coordination Centre at Canberra coordinated the rescue mission in conjunction with many agencies including the Australian Defence Department and the Indian Navy.
Indian Navy launched ‘Operation Raksham’ to rescue the injured officer by immediately deploying the Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I in the area staging through Mauritius for providing close support and monitoring the rescue operations and diverted IN Ships Satpura and Jyoti to undertake Search and Rescue Operations.
Capt Alok Ananda, the Commanding Officer of INS Satpura, lost his father while the ship was on operational deployment. Vice Adm Karambir Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC, briefly interacted with Cdr Tomy and Capt. Alok Ananda.
In the challenging round-the-globe race participants use 1968 vintage boats and little technology. The race is being held to celebrate the golden anniversary of first such solo circumnavigation in 1968.
