A mariner aboard a 24-foot sailboat located some 944 miles northeast of the Hawaiian islands is safe and continuing his voyage to San Francisco after surviving a gale-force storm in the Pacific. ADVERTISING A mariner aboard a 24-foot sailboat located
A mariner aboard a 24-foot sailboat located some 944 miles northeast of the Hawaiian islands is safe and continuing his voyage to San Francisco after surviving a gale-force storm in the Pacific.
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search Thursday for the sailing vessel Pier Pressure after communication was established with the owner, Rimas Meleshyus, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, Fourteenth District in Honolulu. At 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Meleshyus updated his coordinates and sent a text message via satellite device stating he was OK and did not need assistance.
Watchstanders at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu received notification Thursday morning from a concerned friend that Meleshyus transmitted a text via satellite stating, “I lost my life raft, in danger now.”
Meleshyus departed Hilo on Feb. 9 on a solo voyage to San Francisco aboard his sailboat, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
After unsuccessful attempts were made to establish communications with Meleshyus via cellphone, computer and satellite device, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a rescue mission in search of the distressed mariner.
An HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, the Coast Guard Cutter Kukui, ported in Honolulu, and two other vessels were enroute to the sailboat’s last known position when Meleshyus established communication.
