A missing man and his boat have been discovered safe close to Hawaii after more than five weeks at sea and a multi-agency search, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed to SFGATE on Monday.
On December 28, Noel Rubio, then sixty, sailed from Long Beach, California, to Oahu. Rubio’s journey in a 32-foot West sail yacht called “Malulani” was scheduled to conclude at Kaneohe on January 18, but as of February 2, he had vanished from sight.
Rubio supposedly contacted a buddy from the ocean, just south of Catalina Island, on his day of departure, telling them he was on his way. That was the last time anybody heard from him. After Rubio failed to show up in Hawaii, the U.S. Coast Guard began searching for him. Skilled trans-Pacific sailors provided the agency with advice on weather patterns and potential routes Rubio may have taken.
On Sunday, the efforts paid off with positive news. “
A representative for the Coast Guard, Matt Masaschi, sent an email, saying, “We’re pleased to report the wife of the missing mariner informed the Coast Guard that she made contact with her husband on Saturday and that he was safe and within proximity to Hawaii.” “His estimated arrival time to reach his destination was delayed due to a slower transit time than anticipated.”