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 went without 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, the U.S. Coast Guard said Friday.
Officials were notified 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 losing contact for more than two months. (U.S. Coast Guard)
Three days later, an emergency beacon transmitted a distress alert from the sailboat. The Coast Guard dispatched aircraft and a cutter to the area while asking nearby ships to help with the search.
“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 Coast Guard said.
That evening, a Coast Guard aircraft located the Willow Wind roughly 460 miles off San Diego.
The motor vessel Grand Orion arrived at the sailboat early the following morning. However, heavy seas made an immediate rescue too dangerous.
A Coast Guard helicopter crew later hoisted the sailor and his dog from the Grand Orion about 170 miles west of Ventura, California. (iStock)
Later that day, the Grand Orion crew managed to bring the man and his dog safely aboard. The Willow Wind, whose sails had been damaged, was left adrift.
The next morning, a Coast Guard helicopter crew lifted the sailor and his dog from the Grand Orion approximately 170 miles west of Ventura, California.
They were flown to San Diego, where the man was transported to Scripps Mercy Hospital for additional medical evaluation.
The Coast Guard did not release further information about his condition.
A Coast Guard aircraft found the Willow Wind approximately 460 miles off 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 Media for additional comment.