An 86-year-old mariner and his dog have been rescued more than two months after they vanished at sea, officials confirmed.
The pair were found approximately 460 miles off the coast of San Diego.
Sailboat Willow Wind departed Astoria, Oregon, in August with plans to sail 5,000 miles to Pago Pago in American Samoa. The sailor's friends and family last heard from him on August 20 but did not report him missing until late October. The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search after receiving the overdue report on October 24.
The sailboat was located by the Coast Guard, and the mariner and his dog were hoisted aboard and transported to Coast Guard Sector San Diego. The man was subsequently taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital for evaluation. Medical personnel reported that he was weak and had difficulty walking but sustained no major injuries.
According to a fundraising page set up by a neighbor, the sailor's name is Harry Blodgett and his dog's name is Sasha. The page stated that they endured two months at sea after the boat became disabled, resulting in both physical and emotional scars, and that their boat and possessions were lost.
"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 stated. "This case highlights the importance of carrying emergency communication equipment and creating a float plan so someone ashore knows your voyage plans."