New Delhi, Sept 23: Commander Abhilash Tomy, the Indian representative in the Golden Globe Race 2018, is expected to be rescued in the next 16 hours, the Indian Navy said on Sunday. Tomy's whereabouts were confirmed on Saturday, after he was located by the French forces.

According to the Navy spokesperson, French vessel Osiris is likely to reach Tomy's yacht by early Monday. The situation is being closely monitored by the Indian naval headquarters, and their counterparts in France and Australia. Injured Indian Sailor Abhilash Tomy Makes Contact With Race Organisers.

The Indian naval officer was injured earlier in the week, after his ship encountered a massive sea storm, with winds blowing as high as 130 km/hr. Commander Tomy sustained severe injuries in the storm, which has hindered his physical movement.

In the satellite message sent to the French authorities on Saturday, Tomy requested for a stretcher to be sent along with the rescue team.

Commander Abhilash Tomy shall be picked up in next 16 hrs by French vessel Osiris. Thereafter likely to rendezvous Australian Naval ship HMAS Ballarat, which has left Perth to bring him. Earliest arrival of our ship INSSatpura in current location can be only by Friday:Indian Navy

"Commander Abhilash Tomy KC of the Indian Navy, representing India in the Golden Globe Race 2018 (GGR) on an indigenously built sailing vessel 'Thuriya' was dismasted and suffered a back injury yesterday. He is in the south Indian Ocean, approximately 1900 nautical miles from Perth, Australia and 2700 nm (approx 5020 km on the ground) from Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari)," Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma had confirmed.

"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 spokesperson had said.

Commander Tomy is the only Indian to have circumnavigated the globe non-stop on the legendary sail Yacht INSV Mhadei. In 2013, he was awarded Kirti Chakra for his achievement by then President Pranab Mukherjee.

(With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2018 08:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).