86-Year-Old Oregon Man Ignored Friends’ Warnings Before Sailing Across the Pacific With His One-Eyed Dog — Then Both Vanished for Two Months

An 86-year-old man who set out on a solo sailing adventure across the Pacific Ocean with his one-eyed dog has been rescued after spending nearly two months adrift hundreds of miles off the California coast.

Harry Blodgett departed from Astoria, Oregon, on August 20 aboard his 30-foot sailboat, the Willow Wind. His destination was Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, approximately 5,000 nautical miles away.

Accompanying him was Sasha, his beloved one-eyed terrier mix.

Blodgett described the voyage as the final item on his bucket list. But the ambitious journey came despite warnings from friends and neighbors, who questioned whether an 86-year-old man with limited sailing experience should attempt such a dangerous crossing alone.

One friend, Randy Enders, reportedly tried to persuade him not to give up his home and possessions to finance the adventure. Blodgett nevertheless remained determined to leave.

The last known contact with him was on August 20. As weeks passed without any word, concern grew among people who knew him.

By October 24, after more than 60 days without communication, Enders reported Blodgett overdue to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The search initially faced a major challenge because authorities had limited information about the yacht’s route and condition.

Then, on October 27, rescuers received a ᑕriᩚtiᩚcal signal from an emergency position-indicating radio beacon, known as an EPIRB, registered to the Willow Wind.

Coast Guard aircraft located the damaged sailboat approximately 460 miles off San Diego. Its sails were badly damaged, leaving the vessel drifting in the vast Pacific.

A nearby commercial carrier, the Grand Orion, changed course to help.

However, the rescue was not immediately possible. Rough seas made it too dangerous for the ship’s crew to approach the small yacht and bring the pair aboard.

After waiting for conditions to improve, the merchant vessel’s crew successfully rescued Blodgett and Sasha on October 28.

The following day, a Coast Guard helicopter transferred them from the commercial ship to California, where Blodgett was taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego for medical evaluation.

He was weak and had difficulty walking, but rescuers reported no major injuries.

The ordeal had been particularly challenging because Blodgett had run into trouble relatively early in the voyage. In an interview after his rescue, he said that his sails had been gone for weeks and that he had begun running low on fuel.

Despite the deteriorating situation, he initially delayed activating his emergency beacon.

“I wasn’t afraid at all,” he said, explaining that he trusted his boat.

He reportedly survived on freeze-dried meals and water that he described as unpleasant. Sasha also remained by his side throughout the ordeal.

Blodgett’s determination has not disappeared despite the frightening experience. Speaking from his hospital bed, he said he still hoped to complete the journey to American Samoa.

“You shouldn’t give up on your dreams or your goals,” he said.

But the rescue came at a devastating financial cost. The Willow Wind and the belongings aboard were lost, leaving Blodgett and Sasha facing the challenge of rebuilding their lives.

Enders subsequently organized an online fundraiser to help the elderly sailor and his dog recover from the ordeal.

Coast Guard Commander Jason Nguyen praised the merchant ship’s crew and rescue personnel for their efforts, while emphasizing the dangers of attempting long-distance solo voyages.

He also highlighted the importance of carrying emergency communication equipment and leaving a detailed sailing plan with someone on shore.

For Blodgett, what began as a final bucket-list adventure became a desperate fight to survive in the middle of the Pacific. Yet even after two months at sea and the loss of his boat, he says his dream of reaching Samoa is not over.

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