A trans-Pacific passage that was meant to take three months ended up taking five due to light winds and engine failure. Thankfully the USCG and two AMVER vessels were able to assist the single-handed sailor with food, water and ultimately a tow.

Published 5 years ago

On Thursday 14 November, off the California Channel Islands, the home-built sloop “Mayfly” was rescued by the USCG when she requested a tow after her long Pacific crossing from Japan.

Having departed Japan at the end of May, “Mayfly’s” 78-year-old Skipper intended to arrive in San Francisco by the end of August, however light winds hampered the voyage and he had to ask for help two more times in order to get rations and water.

The USCG report:

• October 29 – the brother of the mariner notified Coast Guard District 11 command center that the Mayfly was delayed by two months and was running low on food and water. District 11 asked for assistance from a nearby Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) vessel, the Wallenius Wilhelmsen ro/ro Tamesis, to provide rations to the Mayfly. The Tamesis delivered the rations with no request for additional assistance.
• November 4 – district watchstanders received another request for food and water from the mariner, who was also experiencing heavy weather at a position about 250 nautical miles west of Los Angeles. A nearby AMVER vessel, the Umberty, diverted and transferred additional rations.
• Wednesday, November 11 – district watchstanders notified Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach that the mariner was about 85 nautical miles southwest of Point Vicente, low on supplies again, and requesting assistance with towing the sailboat. The Coast Guard Cutter Robert Ward diverted from its patrol to tow the homemade vessel towards Oxnard.

Further Reading:

Maritime Executive: Solo Sailor Calls for Help Three Times During Transpacific Crossing

Navy Times: Coasties rescue 78-year-old trying to cross ocean in homemade boat

AMVER, or Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System is a worldwide voluntary reporting system sponsored by the United States Coast Guard. It is a computer-based global ship-reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea.

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