Coast Guard rescues man sailing from Hilo to Canada

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a Canadian man who was attempting to sail from Hilo to Canada.

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The Coast Guard said a 74-year-old man suffered a shoulder injury aboard his disabled 29-foot sailboat 489 miles off the coast of Tillamook, Oregon.

Officials said his vessel, named Alice, was de-masted and the engine broke due to gale-force winds and 30-foot seas from Hawaii to British Columbia.

The Coast Guard was able to establish communication with the man via a satellite device. A long-range C-27J Spartan fixed-wing aircraft from Sacramento, California, was deployed to provide overwatch.

Officials said the crew of the cruise ship Silver Whisper responded to the Coast Guard’s Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue request and diverted from their intended course to rescue the injured man.

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A second Sacramento-based C-27J and aircrew were launched to provide communication and supervision. Crew members from the Silver Whisper then pulled the injured man aboard and provided medical treatment until they arrived in Vancouver.

The man had sailed the voyage from Hilo to Canada four times before.

Authorities said he had proper food, water, a life jacket and a raft for the trip.

“This mariner’s experience and preparedness allowed the Coast Guard and other agencies to communicate with him and effect a rescue,” said Scott Giard, Coast Guard Northwest District Search and Rescue Program Manager. “His foresight to bring a satellite communicator averted a tragedy. We would also like to thank Silver Whisperfor their assistance with this rescue.”

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