Singlehanded Transpac - Rescue at Sea

San Francisco, California - We now have some details on the DNF for Wenlemir in the Singlehanded Transpac. The US Coast Guard told YachtPals today that Wen Lin of the Swan 47 yacht Wenlemir set off his EPIRB at 7 pm last Thursday evening, from about 135 miles off the coast of California. "After receiving the notice, the Coast Guard contacted the wife of the sailboater and she offered details of his voyage plans and how he was involved in the contest from San Francisco to Hawaii." The Coast Guard then called the skipper on Wenlemir via the satellite phone number they'd been given. Lin reported being exhausted, and that his sailboat had experienced bad weather, torn sails and generator problems. Lin, as it turns out, also had trouble during the 2004 Singlehanded Transpac, when he was airlifted from his boat due to medical reasons.

Erik Swanson of the USCG said "the Coast Guard then dispatched a C-130 fixed wing aircraft by 9 p.m. to locate his position and arrived on scene by 10 p.m. The C-130 then flew all night in his location to verify he was alright, leaving the scene at 7 a.m. the following morning on Friday. The Tern [an 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter] then located the man by 9 pm Friday, transferred him safely and took his vessel under tow. The weather conditions were 15 knot winds and 4 to 6 foot seas. Transferring the man was difficult only because it was dark by the time the Tern arrived. The Tern arrived back home by 10:30 p.m. on Saturday."

Reports are that Lin is OK and back at home, and thanks should go to the heroes of the story: the USCG, and particularly to the crews of the C-130 and the Tern. According to the Coast Guard, a rescue of this type is "expensive," but the safety of a mariner is priceless. The Coast Guard representative in San Francisco was clear in pointing out that rescue costs should never discourage sailors in distress from calling upon them when needed. "After all, that's what the Coast Guard is for."

Unfortunately, another Singlehanded Transpac boat appears to be unaccounted for at this time. Barbara Euser aboard the Bristol 34 sailboat Islander is currently reported as not having checked in since July 22nd, when her position was about 1216 miles from Kauai. There seems reason to be confident that this is just a minor case of power or communication problems, and all boats in this race are required to keep EPIRB's aboard. We'll keep you posted.

Singlehanded Transpac Boats Currently Racing (from AM Position Report July 30)

• Christian Humann sailing Carroll E (Dana 24) - Distance to finish: 175
• Rob Tryon sailing Feolena (Valiant 32) - Distance to finish: 189
• Joshua Siegel sailing Sunquest (Westsail 32) - Distance to finish: 198
• Thomas Kirschbaum sailing Feral (International Folkboat) - Distance to finish: 239
• Nicholas Ratto sailing Kali O Kalani (Harkfarm 28) - No position report
• Robert Crawford sailing Black Feathers (Cal 20) - Distance to finish: 262
• Ruben Gabriel sailing Sparky (Pearson Electra 22) - Distance to finish: 508 (DISMASTED)
• Barbara Euser sailing Islander (Bristol 34) - No position reports since July 22

Singlehanded Transpac Provisional Finish Reports - Unofficial - Penalties not included

- Singlehanded Transpac Rescue at Sea by YC for YachtPals.com

READ MORE ABOUT THE SINGLEHANDED TRANSPAC

• Singlehanded Transpac - Sailing California to Hawaii Solo (Main Article for Singlehanded Transpac 2008)
• Interview with Rob Tryon of the Singlehanded Transpac
• 2008 Singlehanded Transpac - Dogbark Sails to Line Honors
• SINGLEHANDED TRANSPAC (all articles and photos of the Singlehanded Transpac)