20 Oct 2017

Yachtie rescued for the fourth time off CNMI

1:57 pm on 20 October 2017
Russian sailor Rimas Meleshyus' yacht, Mimsy at the wharf on Saipan

Russian sailor Rimas Meleshyus' yacht, Mimsy at the wharf on Saipan Photo: RNZI/Mark Rabago

An eccentric Russian sailor Rimas Meleshyus was rescued eight kilometres off Saipan in the Northern Marianas on Tuesday - his fourth request for help in the past five years.

Our CNMI correspondent said Mr Meleshyus was known in the sailing community for his unique style of sailing and for his difficulties finishing voyages.

In the most recent rescue he was sailing from Hawaii to Fiji but gear breakages led to him to reaching Saipan instead.

The trip lasted 137 days.

In 2016 he is reported to have sought help sailing from California to Hawaii, on a trip to San Francisco in 2014 and then in 2012 his boat went aground in the Aleutian Islands.