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.