'I survived became of sailing skills': Stranded Indian sailor speaks out | #TheCube
ADVERTISEMENTSpeaking for Abhilash Tomy, the Indian Navy's Twitter account said the Indian sailor had survived the ocean ordeal thanks to his "sailing skills" and "naval training".
A French ship rescued the Indian sailor injured in a gruelling round-the-world race, an organiser confirmed to Euronews on Monday.
“He’s on the ship, conscious and talking. We’re all very happy about that. We are all incredibly ecstatic,” said Don McIntyre, chairman of the 2018 Golden Globe Race.
The sailor, Indian naval commander Abhilash Tomy, called for emergency aid on Saturday after the yacht was badly damaged in a storm about 3,500 km west of the Australian coast, leaving him with severe back injuries.
The French fisheries patrol vessel, OSIRIS, was able to reach Tomy's yacht on Monday morning, before transporting him to Amsterdam Island where he's undergoing medical treatment.
After initial treatment for his back injuries, he's expected to be transferred to an Australian naval ship.
The 39-year-old called for emergency aid by sending a code red alert through a satellite phone, messaging: "ROLLED. DISMASTED. SEVERE BACK INJURY. CANNOT GET UP." His boat had rolled 360 degrees, according to the race organiser.
The international rescue effort also involved the Australian Defence Force and India. Both sent rescue ships but were positioned further away than the French vessel.
Tomy, whose website says he became the first Indian to circumnavigate the globe in 2013, was participating in the 30,000-mile (48000-km) race which bans the use of modern technology, except for communications gear.
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