TWO Golden Globe Race competitors who were stranded in the Indian Ocean after a storm damaged their boat have been rescued.
Indian sailor Abhilash Tomy was left incapacitated on the bunk of his boat in the middle of the Indian Ocean after a ferocious storm destroyed his mast on Friday and left him with a serious back injury.
Also victim to the treacherous conditions, Irish yachtsman Gregor McGuckin was dismasted and suffered minor injuries.
After performing some temporary repairs to his vessel, McGuckin chose to head back out and attempt to reach his troubled competitor.
An international mission had already been launched over the weekend to reach Mr Tomy, a 39-year-old navy commander.
Yesterday, a French fisheries patrol vessel named Osiris finally reached Mr Tomy and safely took him on board.
According to a statement issued on Monday, the boat then sailed approximately 30 miles to rescue the Irishman.
Safely onboard Osiris. Full statement below. Huge thanks to all involved in the operation. https://t.co/4gsyHDP2Zs
— Gregor McGuckin (@GregorMcGuckin) September 24, 2018
He is reported to be well, showing no more than a few bumps and bruises.
The statement added: “In an incredible show of seamanship, the 32-year-old Irishman managed to build a jury rig and hand steer his yacht Hanley Energy Endurance for the past four days to within 30 miles of his fellow competitor in order to be on site to assist with the rescue if required.
“McGuckin did not declare an emergency for his own situation despite being rolled over and losing his mast.
"However, given the extremely remote location and the condition of his yacht, it was deemed the appropriate course of action to abandon his yacht under a controlled evacuation scenario as the opportunity arose.
"The considered move ensures in the event that his own situation deteriorated in any attempt to reach land in the coming weeks a second rescue mission would not be required.”
A French patrol boat rescued injured Indian Navy Commander #AbhilashTomy and Irishman Gregor McGuckin on Monday after their boats lost masts in a storm while competing in the around-the-world Golden Globe Race. https://t.co/37vRdECUT9 pic.twitter.com/2wYKNrlvxY
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) September 25, 2018
Both men had been competing in the 2018 Golden Globe Race which set out from the port of Les Sables d’Olonne in France on July 1st.
Both men will now be brought to Amsterdam Island in the southern Indian Ocean where they will receive medical treatment before being transported to Australia.
