Linus Wilson's Blog, page 14
September 28, 2018
Golden Globe Race Sailors Rescued | Sailboats Still Adrift in the Indian Ocean
You’ll see the rescue of two Golden Globe Race (GGR) sailors in the Indian Ocean. Abhilash Tomy was in 3rd place in the GGR 2018 solo-sailing race for small yachts on September 21, 2018, when his sailboat THURIYA was rolled and dismasted in 14-meter seas and 70-knot winds about 1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia in the Southern Indian Ocean. Tomy had a sever back injury and could not move from his bunk. He set off his EPIRB manually, but was unable to cut away the dangerously dangling mast. This set off an international rescue of the French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris underway on September 24, 2018. 4th place competitor Irish skipper Gregor McGuckin was also rescued 30 miles west of Tomy by the Osiris. McGuckin’s sailboat was dismasted and was sailing under jury rig.
“Capt. Donde [Abhilash Tomy’s manager] also announced plans to salvage Tomy’s yacht Thuriya, left drifting in the Indian Ocean when he was recovered by the crew of the French Fisheries Patrol ship Osiris on Monday. The plan is for the Indian Navy to tow Thuriya to St Paul’s Island some 40 miles north, and leave a crew to make repairs and sail her to land.
McGuckin’s yacht Hanley Energy Endurance was also left drifting when the Osiris crew picked him off the yacht. In a statement today, Neil O’Hagen, spokesman for Team Ireland said:
[image error]
‘During the controlled evacuation of Hanley Energy Endurance, McGuckin was instructed to leave the vessel afloat. The French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris instructed McGuckin that scuttling the vessel would be in breach of international maritime regulations. Hence, McGuckin removed all debris from the deck that could become separated, secured all equipment on board, and ensured the AIS beacon was active. The power source to the AIS device is solar panels which should remain active without any outside assistance, reducing the risk to other vessels. Precautionary steps were also taken to ensure the relatively small amount of fuel onboard is secure.'”
Non-copyrighted photos taken by PPL/GGR by
Christophe Favreau
Commander Abhilash Tomy, KC
Gregor McGuckin
Barry Pickthall
Tim Bishop
Indian Navy
AMSA
Additional photos from the Australian Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Public Domain video from the US Navy:
PACIFIC OCEAN
07.28.2016
Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Seeber
Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet
160728-N-KL795-020 The Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) steams i(U.S. Navy video by Chief (select) Mass Communication Specialist Paul Seeber
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, UNITED STATES
07.12.2016
Video by Jamie Hawkins
Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet
160712-N-ZY850-003 PEARL HARBOR (July 12, 2016) Indian Navy frigate Satpura (F48) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for Rim of the Pacific 2016. (U.S. Navy Video By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jamie Hawkins)
We use a Mantus Anchor and swivel on our boat. Get all your Mantus gear at http://www.mantusanchors.com/?affiliates=15
Mantus Anchors is a title sponsor of this video.Support the videos at
http://www.Patreon.com/slowboatsailing
On the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast Linus Wilson has interviewed the crew of Sailing SV Delos, WhiteSpotPirates (Untie the Lines), Chase the Story Sailing, Gone with the Wynns, MJ Sailing, Sailing Doodles, SV Prism, Sailing Miss Lone Star, and many others.
Get Linus Wilson’s books
Slow Boat to the Bahamas
and How to Sail Around the World-Part Time
https://gumroad.com/l/sailing
have been #1 sailing bestseller on Amazon.Associate Producers Anders Colbenson, Larry Wilson, Ted Royer, Sam Balatsias and Kevin Yeager
Sign up for our free newsletter for access to free books and other promotions at http://www.slowboatsailing.com
music by http://www.BenSound.com
Copyright Linus Wilson, Vermilion Advisory Services, LLC, 2018
September 26, 2018
Ep. 52: Abandon ship, Dismasted in the GGR, the ADRIFT Movie, & Hurricane Florence Sinks Sailboats: Featuring Joy & Jim Carey and Sailing Banjo Interviewed by Linus Wilson on the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast
Joy and Jim Carey were 150 miles from their home port in Belingham Washington when they were struck by violent storm. A rougue wave filled their boat with water, knocked out the electronics, and nearly washed Jim overboard. Getting hypothermic with no other forms of communication, they pulled their EPIRB and abandoned their beloved sailing vessel Kelaerin. This tragic story has a happy ending. Listen to hear it.
Get the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast on Stitcher and iTunes!
[image error]
USCG finds sailing vessel Kelaerin adrift off the coast of California. Public domain photo taken by the USCG’s PO3 Sarah Wilson.
Their blog is at http://cruisinginkelaerin.blogspot.com/
Linus Wilson also gives his review of the Adrift movie in episode 52 of the podcast. In the USA Adrift became available for rental in early September 2018. This is the blurb from its distributor STX entertainment:
“Starring Shailene Woodley (Fault in Our Stars, Divergent films) and Sam Claflin (Me Before You, The Hunger Games films), ADRIFT is based on the inspiring true story of two sailors who set out to journey across the ocean from Tahiti to San Diego.
Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) couldn’t anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved.
ADRIFT is the unforgettable story about the resilience of the human spirit and the transcendent power of love.”
Linus talks about the rescue of two Golden Globe Sailors rescued in the Indian Ocean. Abhilash Tomy was in 3rd place in the Golden Globe Race for small yachts on September 21, 2018, when his boat THURIYA was rolled and dismasted in 14-meter seas and 70-knot winds about 1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia in the Southern Indian Ocean. Tomy had a sever back injury and could not move from his bunk. He set off his EPIRB manually, but was unable to cut away the dangerously dangling mast. This set off an international rescue of the French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris underway on September 24, 2018. 4th place competitor Irish skipper Gregor McGuckin was also rescued 30 miles west of Tomy by the Osiris. McGuckin’s sailboat was dismasted and was sailing under jury rig. You can see our video about the rescue at
Hurricane Florence devastated the sailing community in New Bern, North Carolina with its ten-foot storm surge. You will see the destruction to boats in the historic city. You will see how the storm surge broke up the docks in Bridgepoint Marina and hear from a marina tenants Shawn and Shannon Yale of Sailing Banjo whose boat, SV Banjo, rode out the storm successfully on a Mantus Anchor.
Many boats were overturned in their stands from the rising storm surge in Duck Creek Marina near New Bern, NC. The C-dock near the Trent River Bridge at Bridgepoint Marina was almost completely destroyed at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Flooding from Hurricane Florence. See our video with Sailing Banjo about Hurricane Florence’s impact on sailboats and the sailing community in New Bern, North Carolina.
Sailing Banjo’s social media and blog links are below:
https://www.instagram.com/sailingbanjo/
Tweets by SailingBanjo
http://sailingbanjo.com/
https://www.patreon.com/sailingbanjo
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiSmmFHqWGemhwyyZI-rOQw
The eBook of AROUND THE WORLD SINGLE-HANDED: The Cruise of the Islander is at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C3THFZV
We use a Mantus Anchor and swivel on our boat. Get all your Mantus gear at http://www.mantusanchors.com/?affiliates=15
Mantus Anchors is a title sponsor of this video.Support the videos at
http://www.Patreon.com/slowboatsailing
On the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast Linus Wilson has interviewed the crew of Sailing SV Delos, WhiteSpotPirates (Untie the Lines), Chase the Story Sailing, Gone with the Wynns, MJ Sailing, Sailing Doodles, SV Prism, Sailing Miss Lone Star, and many others.
Get Linus Wilson’s bestselling sailing books:
Slow Boat to the Bahamas
Slow Boat to Cuba
https://gumroad.com/l/cubabook
and How to Sail Around the World-Part Time
https://gumroad.com/l/sailing
have been #1 sailing bestseller on Amazon.Associate Producers Anders Colbenson, Larry Wilson, Ted Royer, Sam Balatsias, Rick Moore (SSL), and Kevin Yeager
Sign up for our free newsletter for access to free books and other promotions at http://www.slowboatsailing.com
music by http://www.BenSound.com
Copyright Linus Wilson, Vermilion Advisory Services, LLC, 2018
Ep. 52: Abandon ship, Dismasted in the GGR, the ADRIFT Movie, & Hurricane Florence Sinks Sailboats: Featuring Joy & Jim Carey and Sailing Banjo Interviewed by Linus Wilson
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-4pqgm-9ad530
Joy and Jim Carey were 150 miles from their home port in Belingham Washington when they were struck by violent storm. A rougue wave filled their boat with water, knocked out the electronics, and nearly washed Jim overboard. Getting hypothermic with no other forms of communication, they pulled their EPIRB and abandoned their beloved sailing vessel Kelaerin. This tragic story has a happy ending. Listen to hear it.
Their blog is at http://cruisinginkelaerin.blogspot.com/
Linus Wilson also gives his review of the Adrift movie in episode 52 of the podcast. In the USA Adrift became available for rental in early September 2018. This is the blurb from its distributor STX entertainment:
“Starring Shailene Woodley (Fault in Our Stars, Divergent films) and Sam Claflin (Me Before You, The Hunger Games films), ADRIFT is based on the inspiring true story of two sailors who set out to journey across the ocean from Tahiti to San Diego.
Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) couldn’t anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved.
ADRIFT is the unforgettable story about the resilience of the human spirit and the transcendent power of love.”
Linus talks about the rescue of two Golden Globe Sailors rescued in the Indian Ocean. Abhilash Tomy was in 3rd place in the Golden Globe Race for small yachts on September 21, 2018, when his boat THURIYA was rolled and dismasted in 14-meter seas and 70-knot winds about 1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia in the Southern Indian Ocean. Tomy had a sever back injury and could not move from his bunk. He set off his EPIRB manually, but was unable to cut away the dangerously dangling mast. This set off an international rescue of the French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris underway on September 24, 2018. 4th place competitor Irish skipper Gregor McGuckin was also rescued 30 miles west of Tomy by the Osiris. McGuckin’s sailboat was dismasted and was sailing under jury rig. You can see our video about the rescue at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGaL0KdDhXw
Hurricane Florence devastated the sailing community in New Bern, North Carolina with its ten-foot storm surge. You will see the destruction to boats in the historic city. You will see how the storm surge broke up the docks in Bridgepoint Marina and hear from a marina tenants Shawn and Shannon Yale of Sailing Banjo whose boat, SV Banjo, rode out the storm successfully on a Mantus Anchor.
Many boats were overturned in their stands from the rising storm surge in Duck Creek Marina near New Bern, NC. The C-dock near the Trent River Bridge at Bridgepoint Marina was almost completely destroyed at the confluence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. Flooding from Hurricane Florence. See our video with Sailing Banjo about Hurricane Florence’s impact on sailboats and the sailing community in New Bern, North Carolina.
Sailing Banjo’s social media and blog links are below:
https://www.instagram.com/sailingbanjo/
https://twitter.com/sailingbanjo
http://sailingbanjo.com/
https://www.patreon.com/sailingbanjo
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiSmmFHqWGemhwyyZI-rOQw
The eBook of AROUND THE WORLD SINGLE-HANDED: The Cruise of the Islander is at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C3THFZV
We use a Mantus Anchor and swivel on our boat. Get all your Mantus gear at http://www.mantusanchors.com/?affiliates=15
Mantus Anchors is a title sponsor of this video.Support the videos at
http://www.Patreon.com/slowboatsailing
On the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast Linus Wilson has interviewed the crew of Sailing SV Delos, WhiteSpotPirates (Untie the Lines), Chase the Story Sailing, Gone with the Wynns, MJ Sailing, Sailing Doodles, SV Prism, Sailing Miss Lone Star, and many others.
Get Linus Wilson’s bestselling sailing books:
Slow Boat to the Bahamas
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018OUI1Q2/
Slow Boat to Cuba
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MFFX9AG
https://gumroad.com/l/cubabook
and How to Sail Around the World-Part Time
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B0OFYNW/
https://gumroad.com/l/sailing
have been #1 sailing bestseller on Amazon.Associate Producers Anders Colbenson, Larry Wilson, Ted Royer, Sam Balatsias, Rick Moore (SSL), and Kevin Yeager
Sign up for our free newsletter for access to free books and other promotions at http://www.slowboatsailing.com
music by http://www.BenSound.com
Copyright Linus Wilson, Vermilion Advisory Services, LLC, 2018
Why did the GGR sailors Tomy and McGuckin not scuttle their dismasted sailboats when they evacuated?
A lot of folks wondered why the two Golden Globe Race racers who were rescued on September 24, 2018, by the French FPV Osiris did not scuttle their dismasted sailboats before evacuating. Floating around the Southern Ocean, they potentially pose a hazard to navigation and are a risk to other racers who were behind the third and fourth placed Abhilash Tomy of India and Gregor McGuckin of Ireland. Here is the scoop. This is straight from today’s Golden Globe Race newsletter:
Capt. Donde [Abhilash Tomy’s manager] also announced plans to salvage Tomy’s yacht Thuriya, left drifting in the Indian Ocean when he was recovered by the crew of the French Fisheries Patrol ship Osiris on Monday. The plan is for the Indian Navy to tow Thuriya to St Paul’s Island some 40 miles north, and leave a crew to make repairs and sail her to land.
McGuckin’s yacht Hanley Energy Endurance was also left drifting when the Osiris crew picked him off the yacht. In a statement today, Neil O’Hagen, spokesman for Team Ireland said
[image error]
Photo credit: Indian Navy/GGR/PPL; Abhilash Tomy is taken off his Suhali replica yacht via stretcher on September 24, 2018,1900 nautical miles from Perth Australia in the Indian Ocean.
“During the controlled evacuation of Hanley Energy Endurance, McGuckin was instructed to leave the vessel afloat. The French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris instructed McGuckin that scuttling the vessel would be in breach of international maritime regulations. Hence, McGuckin removed all debris from the deck that could become separated, secured all equipment on board, and ensured the AIS beacon was active. The power source to the AIS device is solar panels which should remain active without any outside assistance, reducing the risk to other vessels. Precautionary steps were also taken to ensure the relatively small amount of fuel onboard is secure.
Indian Naval Commander Tomy is reported to be standing and has no broken bones as part of the back injury that incapacitated after his boat was rolled in a 70-knot storm with 15-meter waves. The Indian Navy plans to move Tomy to India from the Isle de Amsterdam where he and McGuckin are staying. The Australian Navy plans to take McGuckin to Australia in a few days.
Dr. Linus Wilson, is a USCG licensed “six-pack” captain and is the creator of the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast and YouTube Channel. He has written several books about sailboat cruising, including How to Sail Around the World Part-Time. The Slow Boat is currently in the Kingdom of Tonga.
September 25, 2018
Update on rescue of solo yachtsman Abhilash Tomy in the Indian Ocean by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority
September 25, 2018
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received confirmation that the French fisheries patrol vessel, FPV Osiris successfully located and rescued Abhilash Tomy who is reported to be in a stable condition.
The FPV Osiris arrived at the yacht’s location around 5.30pm (AEST) yesterday. Then around 10pm (AEST) the Osiris also evacuated a second solo yachtsman, Gregor McGuckin, from the SV Hanley Energy Endurance.
Both men were participating in the Golden Globe Yacht Race. On Friday night race organisers notified AMSA that both Tomy and Gregor’s yachts had rolled in rough weather and dismasted. Tomy then sent a message via a tracker to advise that he had injured his back in the rollover and was unable to move.
Gregor was not injured but indicated that he wanted to abandon his yacht due to the damage sustained. He then made his way towards Tomy’s location in an attempt to assist.
Tomy’s yacht was approximately 3,500 km west of Perth, in remote seas and in bad weather.
[image error]
Photo credit: AMSA, Sam Cardwell; Caption: FPV Osiris crew rescue injured GGR skipper from his dismasted sailboat.
AMSA tasked a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft and a civilian Global Express aircraft from Australia. The Indian Armed Forces supported the search and rescue with an additional P-8 aircraft. These aircraft sighted the stricken yacht SV Thuriya yesterday and confirmed the vessel’s condition and location for rescue organisers.
AMSA also tasked the Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Ballarat which is currently en route. It is anticipated the HMAS Ballarat will take several days to reach the stricken yacht.
The FPV Osiris has transported Tomy to Ile Amsterdam for further medical treatment and assessment.
AMSA would like to thank all those involved in the search and rescue.
The above is the complete statement of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) on the rescue of the Golden Globe Race skippers Abhilash Tomy and Gregor McGuckin.
September 24, 2018
Two GGR Boats Abandoned: Irish Sailor Rescued After Injured Indian Navy Commander
“We are delighted to confirm Gregor McGuckin and fellow competitor Abhilash Tomy are now onboard the French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris.” That was written on the Irish sailor’s webpage.
Further the spokespersons wrote, “McGuckin’s condition is good and has reported nothing more than bumps and bruises.” McGuckin sailed his 36-foot sailboat under jury rig after it was dismasted on September 21 in a 70-knot storm with 14-meter waves.[image error]
Picture credit: Indian Navy
Earlier on September 24, 2018, McGuckin’s competitor in the round the world solo sailing race was rescued from the yacht Thuriya.
Tomy’s Sailboat is Dismasted in Golden Globe Race – Rescue Underway
Abhilash Tomy was in 3rd place in the Golden Globe Race for small yachts on September 21, 2018, when his boat THURIYA was rolled and dismasted in 14-meter seas and 70-knot winds about 1,900 miles SW of Perth, Australia in the Southern Indian Ocean. Tomy had a sever back injury and could not move from his bunk. He set off his EPIRB manually, but was unable to cut away the dangerously dangling mast. This set off an international rescue of the French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris underway on September 24, 2018.
[image error]
4th place Gregor McGuckin and his Biscay 36 yacht HANLEY ENERGY ENDURANCE were also rolled and dismasted in the same storm but was able to set up a jury rig. A full rescue organised by the Australian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Canberra is under way to repatriate the inured solo sailor, Commander Abhilash Tomy from his Suhaili replica yacht THURIYA.
Abhilash has covered 52,000 miles under sail while in the Indian Navy including a solo non-stop circumnavigation from Mumbai and back in 2012/13.
Commander Abhilash Tomy, KC (left) with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and (right) Right Dilip Donde first Indian to sail solo around the world meet each other In a Mumbai curry house. Abhilash Tomy is an entrant in the 2018 Golden Globe Race. He completed a solo non-stop circumnavigation from Mumbai and back in 2012/13. To celebrate India’s heritage in building famous singlehanded yachts in the past (Suhaili and Lively Lady) Abhilash will be racing a replica of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s original 32-foot winner built at the Aquarius shipyard on Goa.
2018 Golden Globe Race – GGR skippers congregate in Les Sables d’Olonne. Back row left to right: Loic Lepage (FRA) Uku Randmaa (EST), Tapio Lehtinen (FIN) Don McIntyre – Race Founder, Abhilash Tomy (Ind) LSDO sport) Are Wiig (NOR) Jean Paul Dubreuil (Vice President LSDO) Agglomeration Yannick Moreau (President LSDO Agglomeration; Mark Sinclair (AUS) Ertan Beskardes (GBR) Mark Slats (NED) Igor Zarertsjiy (RUS) Susie Goodall (GBR) Front row: Philippe Peche (FRA), Kevin Farebrother (AUS) Gregor McGuckin (IRE) Antoine Cousot (FRA) Jane Zhou (GGR organiser) Istvan Kopar (USA) Nabil Amra (PAL) Celine Trommenschlager (GGR organiser). Of the 18 skippers who departed, the dismasting of Tomy and McGuckin on September 21, 2018, would leave only 8 left with over 15,000 nautical miles to go in the 30,000 nm race and Cape Horn to come.
The Golden Globe Race starts from Les Sables d’Olonne on 1st July 2018.
Non-copyrighted photos taken by PPL/GGR by
Christophe Favreau
Commander Abhilash Tomy, KC
Gregor McGuckin
Barry Pickthall
Tim Bishop
Public Domain video from the US Navy:
PACIFIC OCEAN
07.28.2016
Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Paul Seeber
Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet
160728-N-KL795-020 The Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) steams i(U.S. Navy video by Chief (select) Mass Communication Specialist Paul Seeber
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, UNITED STATES
07.12.2016
Video by Jamie Hawkins
Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet
160712-N-ZY850-003 PEARL HARBOR (July 12, 2016) Indian Navy frigate Satpura (F48) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for Rim of the Pacific 2016. (U.S. Navy Video By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jamie Hawkins)
We use a Mantus Anchor and swivel on our boat. Get all your Mantus gear at http://www.mantusanchors.com/?affiliates=15
Mantus Anchors is a title sponsor of this video.Support the videos at
http://www.Patreon.com/slowboatsailing
On the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast Linus Wilson has interviewed the crew of Sailing SV Delos, WhiteSpotPirates (Untie the Lines), Chase the Story Sailing, Gone with the Wynns, MJ Sailing, Sailing Doodles, SV Prism, Sailing Miss Lone Star, and many others.
Get Linus Wilson’s books
Slow Boat to the Bahamas
and How to Sail Around the World-Part Time
https://gumroad.com/l/sailing
have been #1 sailing bestseller on Amazon.Associate Producers Anders Colbenson, Larry Wilson, Ted Royer, Sam Balatsias and Kevin Yeager
Sign up for our free newsletter for access to free books and other promotions at http://www.slowboatsailing.com
music by http://www.BenSound.com
Copyright Linus Wilson, Vermilion Advisory Services, LLC, 2018
September 23, 2018
UPDATED: Indian Navy Plane Spots Dismasted GGR Sailor’s Boat
The Indian Navy flew over Abilhash Tomy’s dismasted sailboat with a P8i aircraft launched from Port Louis Mauritius at 0200 this morning on September 23, 2018.
[image error]
Indian Navy photo
It established visual contact with SV Thuriya at 0750 local and Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30). Thuriya’s mast was broken and still attached to the boat pointing down into the sea. The Golden Globe Race reports that Tomy could not contact them with VHF because his handheld unit was not operational.
[image error]
Tomy was competing in the Golden Globe Race for small sailboats. That race has competitors sail solo-nonstop around the world via the Southern Ocean with limited modern electronics. They have satellite phones and EPIRB rescue beacons for emergencies. Tomy set off his EPIRB yesterday and has written that he cannot move due to a back injury. Tomy is a pilot and Commander of the Indian Navy, and Thuriya is a replica of Suhali, the first boat to sail solo nonstop around the world. Both boats were built in India.
[image error]
Photo by the Indian Navy
Abhilash Tomy, who is 1,900 miles west southwest of Perth, Australia wrote via satellite phone “ACTIVATED EPIRB.CANT WALK.MIGHT NEED STRETCHER”. He further wrote, “CAN MOVE TOES. FEEL NUMB. CAN’T EAT OR DRINK. TOUGH 2 REACH GRAB BAG”. Tomy has more recently complained of vomiting and chest pains in text messages.
Photo credits: Christophe Favreau/PPL/GGR
Caption: Commander Abhilash Tomy his Suhaili replica yacht THURIYA , photographed off Lanzarote, Canaries during the compulsory film drop off Marina Rubicon on 16th June 2018.
Commander Abhilash Tomy, KC from Mumbai, India is an entrant in the 2018 Golden Globe Race. Abhilash has covered 52,000 miles under sail while in the Indian Navy including a solo non-stop circumnavigation from Mumbai and back in 2012 to 2013.
One boat is his fellow Golden Globe Racer Gregor McGuckin motor-sailing under jury rig. Both McGuckin and Tomy were dismasted in a storm of 70-knot winds and 14-meter seas on September 21, 2018. McGuckin’s engine is dying and his only spinnaker pole use for the jury rig is bending in high winds. He is expecting to arrive at Tomy’s disabled vessel at sunrise on Monday.
“He [McGuckin] may be asked by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Canberra to abandon his own yacht and board Thuriya to provide immediate assistance to the injured yachtsman. Telemedicine doctors MSOS in the UK would then be able to speak directly to Abhilash via Gregor’s satellite phone and suggest appropriate first aid as well as advise JRCC of his condition to help forward planning,” wrote GGR headquarters.
A French fisheries patrol boat, Osiris, is Tomy and McGuckin’s most immediate chance of rescue. Osiris is expected on. Monday 1000 UTC. It has been delayed by adverse sea conditions and is motoring at 4.1 knots, according to GGR race headquarters. It has medical facilities on board.
The Australian and Indian Navy are sending ships but their arrival could take days.
Including, Tomy and McGuckin who are likely to abandon their stricken boats ten of the eighteen skippers have abandoned or been eliminated from the 30,000 mile solo-nonstop race. Three sailboats leaving the start line have thus far been dismasted. Norwegian sailor Are Wiig sailed his dismasted sailboat under jury rig into Cape Town in early September.
Dr. Linus Wilson, is a USCG licensed “six-pack” captain and is the creator of the Slow Boat Sailing Podcast and YouTube Channel. He has written several books about sailboat cruising, including How to Sail Around the World Part-Time.
September 22, 2018
GGR Sailor Tomy Pulls EPIRB Rescue Could Come as Early as Sunday
Abhilash Tomy, who is 1,900 miles Southwest of Perth, Australia wrote via satellite phone “ACTIVATED EPIRB.CANT WALK.MIGHT NEED STRETCHER”. He further wrote, “CAN MOVE TOES. FEEL NUMB. CAN’T EAT OR DRINK. TOUGH 2 REACH GRAB BAG”.
A plane could fly over Tomy a participant in the Golden Globe Race for small sailboats just before Saturday midnight UTC. Two boats will arrive as early as Sunday UTC. The two planes were sent out by Australia and India plan to fly over the stricken Indian sailor’s boat. Two boats may arrive on the scene on Sunday night UTC too.
One boat is his fellow Golden Globe Racer Gregor McGuckin motor-sailing under jury rig. Both McGuckin and Tomy were dismasted in a storm of 70-knot winds and 14-meter seas. McGuckin’s engine is dying and his only spinnaker pole use for the jury rig is bending in high winds, casting doubt on his ability to motor-sail to the incapacitated Tomy’s sailboat by Sunday evening UTC.
A French fishing boat Osiris is Tomy and McGuckin’s most immediate chance of rescue. Osiris is expected on Sunday evening UTC.
The Australian and Indian Navy are sending ships but their arrival could take days.
“JURY RIG SET.AIMING TO GET FURTHER NORTH” wrote dismasted Irish GGR skipper Gregor McGuckin.
Rescue will take at least three days to get to the injured Indian skipper Abhilash Tomy whose mast is dragging in the water. He and another Golden Globe Race (GGR) for small sailboats participant, McGuckin, are in dismasted in the Southern Ocean where rescue is far away and uncertain. Tomy’s Suhaili replica sailboat was dismasted in 70-knot winds and 14-meter seas.
Tomy says he cannot move from his bunk due to a back injury and has not yet been able to reach his VHF or EPIRB. He has communicated to GGR race HQ from a sat phone that he is holding.
The current 2nd place skipper Dutchman Mark Slats has been told to continue in because he is 230 miles upwind and in great peril. Slats skippers the closest boat that is not dismasted.
The prospects for jury rig of the dismasted sailboat of Irish skipper Gregor McGuckin are poor because he only has one pole left. His engine is believed to be working. He conceivably could and motor to Tomy 100 miles away, but conditions must settle down. Both McGuckin and Tomy are 1,900 miles from the nearest land Cape Lewin Australia. The Australian Navy has not decided if it will send a ship.
GGR skipper Uku Randmaa from Estonia is the closest downwind. Randmaa is 400 miles away. It will take him three days to close on Tomy and McGuckin. He has been diverted to their position.
