PORTLAND (AP) – The Coast Guard reported that a rescued sailor was in stable condition Saturday after being plucked from his sailboat 40 miles south of Rockland.
Authorities said 53-year-old Mike Hanagen was taken safely aboard an Air Station Cape Cod helicopter at 12:47 a.m.
Hanagen had called Sector Northern New England reporting that he was ill and disoriented aboard Hattie Kay, a 29-foot sailing vessel he had been operating alone for two days, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard said Station Rockland launched a 47-foot motor life boat to assist in the rescue and said the boat was used as a platform from which Hanagen was hoisted into the helicopter. Seas were 5 feet with 15-knot winds.
Authorities said the air crew transferred Hanagen to Portland, where a waiting ambulance took him to Maine Medical Center.
A private marine service towed the sailboat to shore.
“We appreciated Mr. Hanagen’s self-awareness because he was not sure he could continue operating the boat,” said Lt. Pat Petraca from the First Coast Guard District operations center in Boston. “We were glad he had the good sense to ask for help before he found himself in an increasinlgy dangerous situation.”
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