An 86-year-old mariner and his dog were rescued more than 450 miles off the coast of San Diego, two months after they vanished at sea.
The sailor and his canine companion had embarked on a voyage from Astoria, Oregon, in August with plans to sail to Pago Pago in American Samoa aboard their sailboat, Willow Wind. Friends and family had not heard from the man since August 20, prompting a search by the U.S. Coast Guard after they were alerted in late October.
Authorities received a report about the overdue sailor and his dog on October 24. The Coast Guard eventually located the sailboat approximately 450 miles off the California coast. The man and his dog were subsequently hoisted from the vessel and transported to Coast Guard Sector San Diego.
Following their rescue, the mariner was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital for further evaluation. Medical personnel reported that he was weak and had difficulty walking but sustained no major injuries. The pair had reportedly covered over 1,000 nautical miles during their ordeal.
"We are grateful to the merchant mariners and Coast Guard crews whose coordinated efforts brought this search to a successful conclusion," said Coast Guard Commander Jason Nguyen. "This case highlights the importance of carrying emergency communication equipment and creating a float plan so someone ashore knows your voyage plans."
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 states that their boat and possessions were lost, and they are now facing challenges in starting over with limited resources.