Search Called Off For 'maja' Sailboat Captain Off So. Brazil

[truda]

An unfortunate piece of news from our corner of the world,

Brazilian Navy has cancelled search for the missing captain (and sole crew) of the Argentinian sailboat 'Maja', which left Buenos Aires, Argentina, for Angra dos Reis, Brazil but was caught in a major storm (70 Km/h winds and 7-meter waves reported) off Southern Brazil. Mr. Alberto Canessa, 68 and the last full-time boat resident at the trendy Puerto Madero docks in downtown Buenos Aires, was sighted in a life raft by a Panamanian cargo ship some 50 miles off the coast, and a rescue attempt then has apparently failed due to the intensity of the storm.

IMHO as a native of the region who has worked extensively with the sea around here, no one in his/her right mind would attempt an unnecessary crossing of this stretch of coast in a sailboat in the height of winter.

And then, to me nine days seems a precious little amount of time to call off a search and rescue attempt for a human being.

J.

[Lighthouse]

Such a sad story. Thank you for posting the details.

[Yachtmaster81]

Originally Posted by truda

And then, to me nine days seems a precious little amount of time to call off a search and rescue attempt for a human being.

J.

I have to agree on that, it must have been devastating for the poor guy to see rescue was close but wasn't able to rescue him. I hope some miracle will happen and it will end well after all.