Global Courant
Weather conditions prevent the Mexican navy from rescue attempts.
Weather conditions are preventing the Mexican Navy from approaching the capsized sailboat of a US citizen who was reported missing on July 21, officials told ABC News on Tuesday.
Donald Lawson, of Baltimore, Maryland, piloted the sailboat, U.S. Coast Guard District 11 Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel told ABC News. He was en route from Acapulco, Mexico, to Panama on July 5.
Lawson called his wife a few days after his trip and said he was having mechanical problems with the sailboat. He told his wife he was going back to Acapulco, Schnabel said.
A Mexican Navy speedboat patrols near a cargo ship leaving the port of Manzanillo, Mexico, Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
Fernando Llano/AP
After not hearing from him for several days, his wife contacted the Maryland Coast Guard on July 21, the official told ABC News.
Three ships and a “conviction aircraft” were deployed, the Mexican Navy said, in the search and location operation. The boat was found capsized 440 miles from Acapulco. Weather conditions hamper further search efforts.
Lawson had been on the road hoping to set a speed record by sailing a trimaran around the world, Baltimore ABC affiliate WMAR reported. The professional ship captain recently docked in Acapulco for repairs.
