UPDATE: Coast Guard engaged in long-range rescue mission

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Coast Guard crews from the air and sea searched for and located a sailor in a disabled sailboat 160 miles southwest of San Diego today.

The sailor departed from San Diego on Nov. 1, and was reportedly bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The 11th Coast Guard District Command Center received a call from the sailor's friend last night, and he reported that the sailor left him a phone message of "Emergency, Emergency," and nothing more.

With no information to go on, Coast Guard Sector San Diego issued an urgent marine information broadcast for vessels in the area to keep a look out for anyone in distress and to report it to the Coast Guard. Then, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the sailor's friend contacted the Coast Guard again and reported that his friend had called him back and relayed a position. A C-130 Hercules aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, Calif., was able to locate him and remained on scene until the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, a 378-foot high endurance cutter homeported in Seattle, was able to assist in the rescue.

Once on scene, a small-boat crew from the cutter transported the man from his sailboat to the cutter to bring him back to San Deigo, and his boat is now being marked as a hazard to navigation.

For questions relating to this case please call Petty Officer Pam Boehland at 510.772.8865.

EDITOR’S NOTE: No imagery available.

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