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Missing octogenarian sailor and dog found alive 460 miles from California coast
An 86-year-old sailor and his dog were rescued after their boat was found about 460 miles off the California coast, following two months without contact. The rescue ended a search launched after authorities were told the pair were overdue, and highlighted the risks of long voyages when a boat is disabled.
The sailor had left Astoria, Oregon, in August, intending to sail to Pago Pago in American Samoa; the Coast Guard received a report on 24 October. He and his dog were taken to San Diego, and he was assessed at hospital, weak and having difficulty walking but with no major injuries. A neighbour identified them as Harry Blodgett and Sasha and said they had lost their boat and needed help starting over.
In short
- Sailor and dog found 460 miles off California.
- They had been missing for around two months.
- The sailor was weak but had no major injuries.
Explained simply
Long-distance sailing means spending extended periods at sea, often far from ports and rescue services. A disabled boat can leave people exposed to weather and with limited food, water or ways to call for help.
Harry Blodgett had set out from Astoria, Oregon, for Pago Pago in American Samoa, a remote destination in the South Pacific. The US Coast Guard coordinates maritime searches and rescues, including when a vessel is reported overdue; Blodgett’s neighbour identified his dog as Sasha.
The case illustrates the practical challenges of finding people at sea, where searchers may have to cover large areas. It also shows why reliable communications and equipment matter on long voyages.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Sailor, 86, and dog rescued more than 450 miles off California coast two months after vanishing”.