Missing solo sailor turns up in Hawaii after five weeks

The US Coast Guard has located the missing sailor Noel Rubio, who has arrived in Hawaii after sparking a large-scale search when he failed to arrive as scheduled.

Rubio, 60, departed Long Beach, California on 28 December 2023 en route to Kaneohe, O’ahu, Hawaii, on 32-foot Westsail sloop Malulani. He had a planned arrival date of 18 January 2024, but concerns grew when he did not contact friends or family for 37 days. He had last been heard from on the day of departure, when he reportedly called a friend south of Catalina Island to inform them he was en route.

The 60-year-old sailor had a marine band radio on board, which was his only means of communication.

His failure to arrive in Hawaii triggered a US Coast Guard search, aided by trans-Pacific sailors who advised on weather patterns and possible routes Rubio may have taken.

Concerns for his welfare were compounded by the severe storms that have battered the coast of California this month, potentially causing perilous conditions for mariners.

In a statement, the US Coast Guard said Rubio had been in touch with his wife on Sunday (4 February) as he neared Hawaii: he was safe and was simply running later than planned.

“The Coast Guard is greatly appreciative of the expert consult advice on weather and routes provided by experienced trans-pacific sailors,” says Douglas Samp, a search and rescue (SAR) mission coordinator in the Rescue Coordination Center Alameda.

“Mariners intending to conduct an open ocean passage are highly encouraged to have multiple layers of communication, including a VHF-FM DSC radio, HF DSC radio, satellite communications, and a 406Mhz electronic position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) as the notification of last resort to help SAR authorities locate your position in a time of need.”

It is currently unclear what caused the delay to Rubio’s journey, and why he lost communication at sea.

Last year, MIN reported that a missing sailor had been found alive on a tattered vessel two weeks after setting sail to Bermuda.

The stranded mariner, who has not been named, was discovered nearly 300 miles off the coast of North Carolina in a damaged boat. The man had departed his home in Jersey City aboard sailboat Windward Passage and was en route to Bermuda when he lost contact with his family on 6 November 2023. The journey should usually take around five days.

Images courtesy of USCG.