The Indian skipper of the Golden Globe Race, Abhilash Tomy, was rescued on Monday, September 24, 2018 in the Far South, after its dismasting, which occurred 4 days earlier. Seriously injured in the back, he was immobilized in his Ketch Thuriya, without being able to eat. The French patrol ship Osiris, which recovered the sailor - as well as its Irish competitor Gregor Mcguckin, whose sailboat Hanley Energy Endurance also dismasted during the storm - took the two men to Amsterdam Island for treatment. And the news is reassuring.
Improved health for Abhilash Tomy
Abhilash Tomy will remain in hospital until Friday when the Indian Navy frigate INS Satpura arrives for repatriation. Captain Dilip Donde, the skipper's manager in India, said the skipper could now stand up, eat and drink, but needed a complete rest. He will also be evacuated from the island of Amsterdam on a stretcher.
"The sea was incredibly rough. My boat Thuriya and I fought against nature. I survived thanks to my sailing skills, and my soldier training - Very grateful to the Indian Navy and all those who saved me" said the Indian skipper.
The manager also plans to save Tomy's sailboat, Thuriya, left adrift in the Indian Ocean. He hopes that the Indian frigate will tow Thuriya to St Paul's Island, about 40 miles to the north. A crew will carry out the repairs before bringing it back to port.
Repatriation of the Irish Gregor McGuckin to Ireland
This Thursday, Irish skipper Gregor McGuckin will be taken in charge by the Australian frigate HMAS Ballarat. It will be heading to Fremantle and should arrive around October 2/3. The Irish was in good health and had been evacuated due to technical problems: dismasting, autopilot stalled, and engine failure. Hanley Energy Endurance, was also left adrift during the evacuation, as Neil O'Hagen, Team Ireland manager, explains:
"During the controlled evacuation of Hanley Energy Endurance, McGukin was ordered to leave the ship afloat. The French patrol ship Osiris informed McGuckin that scuttling the ship would be in violation of international maritime regulations. As a result, McGuckin removed all debris from the deck that had separated, secured all equipment on board and ensured that the AIS beacon was active. The power source of the AIS device is solar panels, which should remain active without external assistance, thus reducing the risk to other vessels. Precautionary measures have also been taken to ensure that the relatively small amount of fuel on board has been secured."
