Stranded Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy will be rescued in next 16 hours: Navy

The Indian Navy said Sunday that its stranded sailor Abhilash Tomy would be rescued in the next 16 hours. Tomy, who is stranded some 1,900 nautical miles off the west coast of Australia, will be picked up by the French vessel Osiris.

Tomy was injured while participating in the Golden Globe Race.

He hurt his back Friday after his yacht was hit by a vicious storm with 14-metre-high waves in the south Indian Ocean.

An Indian Navy aircraft spotted Tomy's boat early Sunday morning.

Tomy is immobile in his boat but in touch with the Indian Navy over text message.

The navy meanwhile said it was maintaining a continuous watch on Tomy until he is rescued. They added that the stealth frigate INS Satpura and the tanker INS Jyoti had been dispatched to aid in the rescue mission.

“He is in the south Indian Ocean, approximately 1900 nautical miles WSW from Perth, Australia and about 2700 nm from Cape Comorin. All out efforts are being made to rescue Commander Abhilash Tomy. The Australian Rescue Coordination centre at Canberra is coordinating the rescue mission in conjunction with many agencies including the Australian Defence Department and the Indian Navy," the Indian Navy said in a press release.

"Indian Navy P-8I aircraft operating ex-Mauritius has visually sighted the SV Thuriya at 0750 hrs on 23 Sep 18. Continuous watch over the boat is being maintained by Indian Navy and RAAF aircraft till rescue is completed. Indian Naval stealth frigate, INS Satpura with a Chetak Helicopter and tanker INS Jyoti operating in the Indian Ocean have been dispatched for the rescue mission. The officer in his last text message has indicated that he is safe on the boat; however is immobile due to back injury,” the navy added.