Overdue Yacht Located South Of Island

 A merchant vessel located the sailing vessel “Hikari” approximately 150 miles southeast of Bermuda today [Dec. 22].

The crew of the “Luisia Colossus”, a 623-foot Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier, spotted the sailboat after Sergei Morozov, the operator of the “Hikari”, fired a parachute flare.

Mr. Morozov stated he was not in distress, but requested food, water and assistance with the battery aboard his boat. The US Coast Guard supplied this photo from a “Luisia Colossus” crewman of Mr. Morozov aboard his boat as he was being resupplied earlier this afternoon.

“The assistance of good Samaritans is invaluable in ensuring the safety of life at sea,” said Matthew Brooks, a search and rescue controller with the Coast Guard in Norfolk, Virginia. “Their awareness and involvement helped provide a positive resolution to this case.“

Upon being resupplied, the “Hikari” reportedly departed the vicinity with intentions to make port in Bermuda later this week.

The Bermuda Marine Operations Centre said “Hikari” is suffering from engine failure but he should be able to sail most of the distance to the island in the next few days before being towed into the East End.

The US Coast Guard called off an air search for the Halifax-based yachtsman yesterday but had alerted vessels in the Bermuda region to maintain a look-out for the 35-foot sailboat.

Mr. Morozov set out from Nova Scotia on  an attempt to circumnavigate the globe earlier this month.

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