A RESCUE effort is underway to find and save a solo yachtsman who was injured about 1800 nautical miles off the WA coast while competing in an around-the-world sailing race.

Abhilash Tomy, 39, suffered a serious back injury when his 10 metre vessel Thuriya was de-masted in extreme weather during the Golden Globe Race.

In a statement, race organisers said competitors had been hit by a “vicious storm” mid way across the South Indian Ocean.

A “code red alert” was issued after organisers received a message from Tomy saying: “Rolled. De-masted. Severe back injury. Cannot get up”.

The Australian Defence Force is helping with the rescue effort.

Royal Australian Navy Frigate, HMAS Ballarat, left Perth last night for the yacht’s last known location.

The ship joins a P-8A Poseidon from the Adelaide based Surveillance and Response Group Royal Australian Air Force.

“These ADF assets are well suited to undertake maritime search and rescue missions during times of extreme weather,” a spokesman said.

According to the Golden Globe Race website, Mr Tomy is an officer in the Indian Navy and one of the country’s most prominent sailors.