Real Survival Stories – Episode: "Clinging to a Mast: Boat Going Down"

Host: John Hopkins
Production Team: Joel Duddell, Ed Baranski, Luke Lonergan, Miri Latham, Jacob Booth, Rob Plummer, Cian Ryan-Morgan, Cody Reynolds-Shaw
Music Compositions: Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink
Release Date: January 16, 2025

Overview

In this gripping episode of Real Survival Stories, host John Hopkins delves into the harrowing true story of Abhilash Tomi, an Indian Navy commander who embarked on the perilous Golden Globe Round the World Yacht Race. Stripped of modern technology, the race serves as the ultimate test of sailing prowess and mental endurance. Abhilash's journey, marked by ambition, disaster, and resilience, offers profound insights into human survival against overwhelming odds.

Abhilash's Background and Ambition

Abhilash Tomi's passion for the sea was ignited in his childhood in Kochi, a port city and home to India's largest naval command. Inspired by adventure literature and his naval upbringing, Abhilash pursued a career in the Indian Navy, becoming a commissioned officer by 21 and later qualifying as a maritime reconnaissance pilot. His thirst for adventure led him to participate in solo circumnavigations, culminating in a historic solo round-the-world voyage in 2012 aboard a 55-foot sloop, sponsored by the Navy.

"When I read about it, I thought, you know, one day I should do my own circumnavigation," Abhilash reflects at [09:16].

The Golden Globe Race

In 2018, Abhilash set his sights on the Golden Globe Race's 50th anniversary, a competition notorious for its difficulty and high attrition rate. Unlike contemporary sailing races, this edition prohibited the use of modern technology such as GPS, satellites, and electronic charts, requiring participants to rely solely on traditional navigation methods.

"It's a return to traditional seafaring where the sailors must rely on celestial navigation using the stars, paper charts and a compass to plot their course around the planet," explains Hopkins at [13:23].

Abhilash joined a fleet of 18 solo sailors, each competing without technological aids, making the race a true testament to human skill and perseverance.

Entering the Storm

Almost three months into the race, on September 22, 2018, Abhilash encountered a formidable storm in the southern Indian Ocean. The tempest unleashed 30-foot waves from multiple directions, creating chaos on his yacht, the Tharia.

"We had waves of 10-15 meters from the northwest, waves of 10-15 meters from the southwest... it looked like God was trying to invent the earth all over again," Abhilash recounts at [02:12].

Despite his expertise, the relentless storm proved too powerful. The yacht suffered severe damage, leading to Abhilash's fall and subsequent struggle to survive amid the wreckage.

Injury and Dilemma

During the storm, Abhilash sustained a critical spinal injury, leaving him incapacitated below deck. Stranded thousands of miles from the nearest landmass, his situation grew dire as the storm showed no signs of abating.

"After 30 minutes when I tried to stand, my knees just collapsed and I fell," he describes at [04:10].

Faced with the impossibility of continuing the race and the absence of immediate rescue, Abhilash grapples with the decision to prioritize his survival over the competition's prestige.

Survival and Rescue

Determined to stay alive, Abhilash utilizes his naval training to remain calm and assess his situation. Despite immense pain and isolation, he activates the emergency beacon, signaling for help.

"I made use of the meditation processes that I do to stay relatively mentally and emotionally healthy," Abhilash shares at [34:00].

After enduring excruciating pain and relentless challenges, rescue arrives from the French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris on September 24, 2018. The relief is palpable as Abhilash is safely evacuated, marking the end of his terrifying ordeal.

"They strapped me up, put me on the boat... I couldn't see my boat," he recalls at [38:34].

Recovery and Aftermath

Upon returning to civilization, Abhilash undergoes extensive medical treatment, including spinal surgery that prevents permanent paralysis. His recovery is arduous, involving six months of physical therapy. Yet, this experience transforms him profoundly.

"I was put through an MRI machine and when I came out of it, I was told that I had four fractures in the spine and if I fell again, I would be properly paralyzed for the rest of my life," Abhilash explains at [42:23].

Four years later, undeterred by previous setbacks, Abhilash re-enters the Golden Globe Race. Despite facing numerous mechanical failures and health issues during his second attempt, he triumphantly finishes in second place after 236 days at sea.

"I finally crossed the finish line in second position after spending 236 days at sea," he proudly states at [44:10].

Lessons and Philosophy

Abhilash's ordeal underscores the essence of survival: maintaining composure, leveraging training, and harnessing inner strength. His transition from relentless ambition to embracing the present reflects a profound personal evolution.

"Instead of focusing on the next race... I shift my attention to the present and appreciate what I already have," he muses at [46:17].

Abhilash's story is not merely one of survival but also of introspection and the transformation that adversity can catalyze.

Conclusion

"Clinging to a Mast: Boat Going Down" is a testament to human resilience and the indomitable spirit that emerges in the face of life-threatening adversity. Abhilash Tomi's journey from triumph to tragedy and back to achievement offers listeners invaluable insights into the complexities of survival, the importance of mental fortitude, and the profound personal growth that can arise from enduring life's most challenging moments.

Notable Quotes

• Abhilash at [02:12]: "We had waves of 10-15 meters from the northwest, waves of 10-15 meters from the southwest. It was very crazy. It looked like God was trying to invent the earth all over again."

• Abhilash at [09:16]: "When I read about it, I thought, you know, one day I should do my own circumnavigation. And I did some calculations."

• Abhilash at [18:00]: "I don't miss human company at all. I'd say I'm happier alone rather than sailing with a crew."

• Abhilash at [34:00]: "One of the tools that I had with me was the way we were trained at the Naval Academy. I made use of that experience."

• Abhilash at [46:17]: "Instead of looking at that alternate reality, I just started focusing on the present, the right now. And I made it my only objective to be comfortable with whatever is happening right now."

Next Episode Preview:
Join us next time on Real Survival Stories as we explore the harrowing tale of Jeff Fraser, a humanitarian aid worker taken hostage in Haiti. Will his negotiation skills and resilience see him safely home? Don’t miss it!

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