Cargo Ship Rescues 3 Californians on Sailboat

Three people, including a noted seaman, were rescued Wednesday from their battered sailboat by the crew of a British cargo ship, which rendezvoused with the stranded trio in high seas 400 miles southwest of Los Angeles, the Coast Guard reported.

Raymond Triplett and his wife Shirley, both 67-year-old residents of Los Gatos, and a friend, James Holm, 33, of Santa Cruz, had been helpless aboard the 55-foot sailboat since Tuesday, when Triplett, an author and global navigator, had reported that the craft was in danger of sinking in 10-foot seas churned by 30-knot winds.

The three were safely taken aboard the bulk carrier La Pampa at 6:55 p.m., Coast Guard Petty Officer Elizabeth Flemming said.

Flemming said the captain of the Taiwan-bound British ship agreed to transport the three, who were all in good condition, to Midway Island.

Their sailboat, the September Song, was left to drift, but Flemming said Triplett indicated that he planned to attempt to salvage the craft.

The three were sailing from the Caribbean to the San Francisco Bay Area when they ran into trouble about 500 miles due west of San Diego.

The Tripletts’ son, Raymond Jr., said at the family’s business in San Jose that a large wave struck the craft Tuesday night, caving in the right side of the bow by about 8 inches.

The son, who was in radio contact with his parents, said bunks were broken and other wooden structures were damaged by the wave.

He said his father felt the best course would be to shut down the boat’s engine, while keeping the sails up to stabilize the craft.

The crew radioed ham operators for help and they notified the Coast Guard of the ship’s situation.

Both Coast Guard and Navy planes were dispatched to fly over the sailboat and assist, if necessary, in the rescue operation.

The son could not immediately be reached for comment after the rescue.

Triplett and his wife sailed around the world for eight years ending in 1981, their son said. Triplett published a book about the adventure entitled “Voyage of Commitment” and appeared on numerous television talk shows.