An 86-year-old sailor and his dog have been rescued after disappearing during a voyage across the Pacific Ocean. The pair were found approximately 460 miles off the coast of San Diego, California, on October 28, following more than two months without contact with the outside world.
According to the US Coast Guard, the man had been sailing aboard the Willow Wind from Astoria, Oregon, to Pago Pago, American Samoa. Authorities had not heard from him since August 20 and were notified that he was overdue on October 24.
A breakthrough came on October 27, when an emergency beacon registered to the Willow Wind transmitted a distress signal. A Coast Guard aircraft located the damaged sailboat later that evening.
The commercial vessel Grand Orion reached the area at about 3:20 a.m. on October 28, but rough seas initially prevented its crew from boarding the stranded pair. After more than 14 hours, rescuers brought the sailor and his dog aboard at approximately 5:36 p.m.
The following morning, a Coast Guard helicopter lifted both survivors from the Grand Orion and transported them to San Diego. The vessel was then around 170 miles west of Ventura, California.
The sailor reportedly suffered no major injuries, although he was described as weak and having difficulty walking. He was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital for further evaluation. Further details about the dog’s condition were not provided, and the damaged sailboat was left drifting at sea.
“We are grateful to the merchant mariners and Coast Guard crews whose coordinated efforts brought this search to a successful conclusion,” Coast Guard Commander Jason Nguyen said.
Authorities have not disclosed what caused the voyage to go wrong or how the sailor and his dog survived for so long without contact.
Sources: Dexerto.