(SEATTLE, WA) — The U.S. Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of a 74-year-old Canadian citizen aboard a disabled sailing vessel 489 miles off the coast of Tillamook, Oregon, Tuesday May 26, 2026.
A cruise ship diverted 120 miles to rescue the distressed mariner.
On Monday, U.S. Coast Guard Northwest District watchstanders received a distress relay from Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Victoria, Canada, reporting a mariner who sustained a shoulder injury after his 29-foot sailing vessel, Alice, was de-masted and the engine was rendered inoperable while navigating in gale-force winds and 30-foot seas from Hawaii to British Columbia.
After establishing contact with the mariner through his handheld satellite communicator, Northwest District watchstanders launched a rescue operation. The satellite device allowed the Coast Guard to monitor the mariner’s position while maintaining contact.
Because the Alice was located nearly 500 miles offshore, the Coast Guard deployed a long-range C-27J Spartan fixed-wing aircraft from Sacramento, California, to reach the scene and provide aerial overwatch.
The C-27J provides long-range support by acting as an ‘eye in the sky’ to assess sea states and vessel damage. It is also equipped to airdrop life rafts, communication gear, and rations, sustaining survivors far offshore while responders coordinate with surface ships or helicopters to complete the physical rescue.
While the C27J was being launched, the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue (AMVER) system was also activated. AMVER is a Coast Guard-sponsored, global safety network that tracks the positions of participating commercial ships. By leveraging this system, watchstanders were able to quickly identify the closest available participating vessel in the area and request their assistance.
The crew of the cruise ship, Silver Whisper, responded to the Coast Guard’s AMVER request. They diverted from their intended course to rescue the injured mariner. A second C-27J aircrew from Sacramento launched to provide overhead communication and supervision.The crew of the Silver Whisper were able to pull the injured mariner off his disabled vessel and onto the cruise ship. Silver Whisper’s onboard medical team provided care to the rescued mariner until their arrival in Vancouver.
“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 Whisper for their assistance with this rescue”
The mariner was sailing solo from Hilo, Hawaii, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He had completed the voyage four times previously. He was equipped with sufficient food, water, a life jacket, life raft, and a satellite communication device.
