An 86-year-old sailor and his dog were rescued from a disabled sailboat drifting hundreds of miles off the California coast after the pair had been out of contact for more than two months.
The man had been traveling from Astoria, Oregon, to Pago Pago in American Samoa when communication was lost on Aug. 20, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which announced the rescue Friday.
Officials were notified on Oct. 24 that the sailor was overdue, prompting a search for him and his vessel, the Willow Wind.
An 86-year-old sailor and his dog were rescued hundreds of miles off the California coast after being missing for more than two months. (U.S. Coast Guard)
Three days later, the Coast Guard received an emergency beacon signal from the vessel. Aircraft and a cutter were dispatched, while nearby ships were asked to help search the area.
“Watchstanders coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 Spartan aircrew and diverted an HC-130 Hercules aircrew and the Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward (WPC 1130), and requested assistance from nearby vessels,” the agency said.
That evening, a Coast Guard aircrew located the Willow Wind roughly 460 miles west of San Diego.
The motor vessel Grand Orion arrived at the sailboat early the next morning. However, dangerous conditions and heavy seas initially prevented the crew from bringing the sailor and his dog aboard.
The next morning, a Coast Guard helicopter crew transported the sailor and his dog from the Grand Orion after the vessel reached a location about 170 miles west of Ventura, California. (iStock)
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Later that day, conditions improved enough for the Grand Orion crew to safely take the pair aboard. The Willow Wind, which had suffered sail damage, was left adrift.
The following morning, Coast Guard helicopter personnel lifted the man and his dog from the Grand Orion about 170 miles west of Ventura, California.
They were flown to San Diego, where the sailor was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital for medical evaluation.
The Coast Guard did not release further information about his condition.
A Coast Guard aircrew located the Willow Wind approximately 460 miles west of San Diego.
“We are grateful to the merchant mariners and Coast Guard crews whose coordinated efforts brought this search to a successful conclusion,” Coast Guard Cmdr. Jason Nguyen said in a statement.
“This case highlights the importance of carrying emergency communication equipment and creating a float plan, so someone ashore knows your voyage plans.”
The Coast Guard was not immediately available to News Outlet for additional comment.
