Family of missing Maryland sailor holding onto hope as search continues off coast of Mexico
BALTIMORE - A desperate search is underway off the coast of Mexico for a missing sailor from Baltimore.
Donald Lawson went missing on his boat "Defiant" earlier this month.
His wife, Jacqueline, said he was in Mexico getting repairs to his boat before he attempts to break the world record for circumnavigation on a trimaran later this year.
MISSING SAILOR:
— Jessica Albert (@JessicaAlbertTV) July 24, 2023
This is Donald Lawson of the Deep Seas Project.
He and his boat are lost off the western coast of Mexico.
We are hearing from his family today while the search for him is underway. @wjz pic.twitter.com/rsyaBeNCvw
"Myself and his family and friends and supporters are determined to bring him back to Maryland safely," Jacqueline said.
Lawson has sailed all over the world.
His family said he created a sailing organization called the "Dark Seas Project" to achieve his goals of diversifying the sport and breaking world records.
Happening now:
— Jessica Albert (@JessicaAlbertTV) July 24, 2023
Lawson’s wife and sister are speaking about the search.
They say after encountering several equipment issues at sea, he was trying to turn around.
They lost contact with him July 12. @wjz pic.twitter.com/L6IPovaRYa
"He's an experienced sailor and he's always focused and determined," Jacqueline said.
On July 5, Jacqueline said Donald left Acapulco, Mexico, heading toward the Panama Canal on his way back to Baltimore.
Four days later, he told her he was having issues with his equipment and was without engine power, relying solely on wind power.
On July 12, Jacqueline said Lawson told her a storm caused him to lose his wind generator.
That's the last time she heard from him.
She said he was trying to return to shore, but his batteries were at 25 percent and he was 285 miles off the coast of Mexico.
"I know whatever, by any means, whether it's by Mother Nature or anything of that sort, he's gonna do the best that he can with what he has," Jacqueline said.
Lawson's boat was last detected on July 13.
The Mexican Navy and Coast Guard are searching for him, but Lawson's family wants search teams in the U.S. to help.
"My hope and prayer, as I said, is to eventually get the U.S. Coast Guard involved as well," Donald's brother, Quentin, said. "Even if they just create drift models to cross-reference with the Mexican Coast Guard."
They are desperate for help to find him.
"He's by himself," Donald's sister, Victoria, said. "So, no telling what he's going through, what he's thinking. He's strong. He is an experienced sailor, but we just need everyone's help, everyone's support."
Lawson talks about his travels on his Facebook page.
In his last post, he talked about how he prepared in case of an emergency.
He said his boat is equipped with gear so others could find him and that he left behind maps detailing his route.