A FRENCH ship is making an attempt to rescue an Indian sailor who is unable to move with a back injury and alone in the remote southern Indian Ocean.

Abhilash Tomy’s boat Thuriya lost its mast during a storm as he took part in the round-the-world solo Golden Globe yacht race.

The race organisers shared messages from him on Twitter where he described his chest burning, vomiting and asking for a “rescue ETA”.

The fisheries patrol boat Osiris is heading the 460 miles to the Indian naval officer’s aid.

The yacht is in Australia’s search and rescue zone 2200 miles southwest of the Australian city of Perth and 3000 kilometers southeast of the French island Reunion.

Phil Gaden, of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority search and rescue, said the trip could be treacherous.

“It’s going to be a very difficult situation onboard,” Mr Gaden said.

“We do know he’s got a very severely injured back and we believe that he’s very restricted in his ability to manoeuvre. We also know he’s having difficulty keeping fluids down.”

Conditions were reasonably good for the area with a southwesterly wind blowing at up 46 kph (29 mph) and a 3-metre (10-foot) swell, Mr Gaden said. “It’s one of the most remote areas on the planet almost equidistant from any of the search and rescue facilities,” he added.