How a California Man Survived 30 Days Lost at Sea With a Broken Mast

Kai Sato, a 39-year-old man from California, survived 30 days lost at sea in the middle of the Pacific after his sailboat’s mast snapped on a solo trip aimed at crossing the ocean to Hawaii. Hawaii News Now reports that about two weeks into the voyage his navigation phone died, and he attempted to motor back—only to run out of fuel. With his water supply exhausted, he collected condensation from seawater using plastic bags stretched over buckets. After drifting roughly 900 miles from Hawaii, Sato was spotted by the container ship George III. Crew members spent about 90 minutes bringing his 32-foot sailboat aboard, then provided food, water, clothing, and a room. He plans another crossing to the Philippines.