Norwegian Star Rescues Sailor near Cabo San Lucas

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star answered a mayday call lately from the U.S. Coast Guard, indicating a nearby 45-foot sailboat, the Carpe Diem, was taking on water approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cabo San Lucas.

Carpe Diem Capt. Donald Masingale of Oklahoma, who had been at sea for two days en route from Puerto Vallarta to La Paz, Mexico, where he resides, discovered his boat had a major leak and was rapidly taking on water.

After trying to pump out the water, he could not keep up with the water flooding the boat. According to Masingale, he thought he could make it to the nearest shore; however that was some 90 miles away and the boat, filled with water, was difficult to steer in the 30-knot winds and six-to eight-foot seas.

Realizing his boat could capsize at any minute, he sent a distress message to the Coast Guard, which relayed the message to Norwegian Star, the closest vessel to the sailboat. Norwegian Star Capt. Lars Bergstrom quickly changed course and once they reached the Carpe Diem, dispatched one of the ship’s rescue boats to retrieve Masingale.

Once safely aboard Norwegian Star, the sailor was treated to a warm welcome from the captain, along with dinner and a night in a guest stateroom. He disembarked the ship upon arrival in Mazatlan, Mexico. Before he departed, Masingale thanked the captain and crew for the rescue and “for the royal treatment once on board.”