The US Coast Guard located a 46-foot sailing vessel that was adrift for more than one month after the vessel owners were rescued from it, off the coast of Grays Harbor, Washington, on 16 June.
The Coast Guard Cutter ‘Barracuda’ crew found the vessel, the ‘Kelaerin’, Sunday while on routine patrol near Fort Bragg more than 440 miles south-southeast from its position on 16 June.
The Barracuda crew inspected the vessel’s seaworthiness and took it in tow toward the coast, where a Coast Guard Station Fort Bragg 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew relieved the tow and moored the vessel at the B Dock in Fort Bragg, Monday morning.
The owners were reportedly sailing from Hawaii to Bellingham, Washington, in June when a storm rendered their vessel disabled and tore their main sail.
The couple activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon, and a helicopter crew from USCG Sector Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon, responded. The sailors were transferred to emergency medical services personnel with symptoms of hypothermia.
After the rescue, USCG watchstanders warned mariners about the adrift sailing vessel via VHF radio.
The vessel was not under power and was completely at the mercy of the sea. The owners probably never thought they’d see it again. Thankfully, the Barracuda crew kept a vigilant eye on the water and spotted the vessel so they could bring it back to shore.
…said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Ramp, the Sector Humboldt Bay command center chief.
