Australia-Bound Sailors Rescued During Blizzard Share Their Story
BOSTON (CBS) - Jason McGlashan was ready to accomplish his dream – sail the great oceans. In 24 hours, he and his father Reg were the subjects of an intense Coast Guard rescue off the coast of Nantucket during a blizzard.
"We love them – very, very, very professional," Reg McGlashan said of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The two Australians set off for Bermuda. They wanted to clarify they set sail before the storm.
"We did check the weather. We also had the Coast Guard talk to us as well. They said, 'you're going to Bermuda, no problem. This boat will outrun the weather,'" said Jason McGlashan.
Jason said he purchased the 43-foot sailboat named Sedona for $10,000 (U.S.) off EBay. He arrived in Rhode Island two months ago working to repair the boat and make her ready for the trip to Australia. The plan was to sail to Bermuda, around the tip of Africa and to his home country.
"We finished it last Friday, took it out, everything was working great," said Jason.
Jason said he's an experienced sailor. Reg said he was on the trip at his wife's request. The pair was ready for their first international boating excursion.
"In about 24 hours, things started to slowly go wrong and at the end everything skyrocketed," said Jason.
They lost power to the autopilot and one of their sails ripped. The storm ensnared them.
"The boat almost got put on its side by two big waves and that's the main reason we left the boat," said Jason.
With no nearby ships to provide assistance, they called the Coast Guard for help. Rescue swimmers put the men into baskets lifting them into the helicopter.
"It was a relief to get up in the chopper and then we looked and said, 'Christ, that's rough.'" said Reg.
Reg plans to head home soon. The Sedona is still upright in the ocean. Jason hopes he can salvage her and send her via cargo to Australia for repairs.
Jason said he will still pursue his dream, Reg though said he'll stay on land.
