How a 39-year-old California man survived over a month lost at sea with no water, limited food and a makeshift boat repair

A California man was rescued hundreds of miles away from Hawaii after surviving more than a month alone at sea. Kai Sato, 39, began his solo sailing journey from the Catalina Islands on June 7, hoping to cross the Pacific Ocean, he told Hawaii News Now. However, his journey took a dangerous turn when his boat suffered major damage during harsh weather conditions, according to PEOPLE.

Boat Damage Left Him Stranded

Around two weeks into the voyage, Sato’s mast broke due to strong winds and rough seas. His situation worsened when he ran out of fuel while attempting to return to shore.

Recalling the difficult period, Sato said, “I cried for a whole week, just drifting south, like miserable,”. With limited options left, he decided to repair his boat using whatever materials were available.

Improvised Repairs Helped Him Survive

After five days adrift, Sato managed to create a temporary sail system using PVC pipes and kayak paddles. The makeshift repairs helped him continue his journey and survive the challenging conditions.

When he ran out of drinking water on July 11, he collected seawater in buckets and used plastic bags to gather condensation. Describing his struggle, Sato said, “I was just licking that to survive,”

He survived mostly on oatmeal, along with squid and fish that entered his boat during the journey.

Rescued After More Than a Month at Sea

Sato said it took him nearly a month to navigate back toward a shipping route near Hawaii. His rescue finally came when a ship crew spotted his sailboat around 900 miles from Hawaii on Tuesday, July 21.

According to the Seafarers International Union, the crew of the vessel spotted Sato and immediately began a rescue operation. They prepared life rings, messenger lines, and other equipment before helping him board the ship.

After two attempts, the crew lowered a rope ladder, allowing Sato to safely climb aboard. The entire rescue process, from spotting the boat to bringing him onboard, took around 90 minutes.

Severe Dehydration After Weeks Alone

Officials said that by the time he was rescued, Sato had run out of water and had limited food options, which had to be cooked using seawater. He managed to collect some rainwater but became dehydrated and suffered severe emotional distress during his time at sea.

The Seafarers International Union said, “He collected some rainwater to drink during this time but became dehydrated and severely depressed.”

After his rescue, Sato expressed his gratitude to the crew of the Seafarers International Union and the ship’s team for saving his life.