The vessel of the missing Baltimore sailor, who set out to sea with hopes of breaking multiple world records, has been located, according to Mexican authorities, as his wife says she's holding out "hope" that he is found safe after having been missing at sea for two weeks.
Donald Lawson, 41, an experienced sailor, had planned to travel from Acapulco, Mexico, to Central America’s west coast, through the Panama Canal and on to Baltimore in his a 60-foot racing trimaran called “Defiant,” but he experienced engine issues and headed back to Mexico, Quentin Lawson Sr., 39, his brother, said Tuesday.
Mexico's marine secretary's office said Tuesday that it started to search for Lawson on Friday and that his vessel was located 275 nautical miles from Acapulco.
However, bad weather amid the Pacific's hurricane season have hindered authorities from reaching it, the spokesperson said.
Three boats from the marine secretary’s office are trying to reach the boat, along with an aircraft. The office said it's unclear whether Lawson is on the boat.
The office said it hopes the weather clears up to allow search and rescue crews to reach the boat.
The U.S. Coast Guard did not immediately reply to a request about whether it could confirm the boat sighting.
Lawson’s wife, Jacqueline Lawson, said in a statement Tuesday evening to NBC affiliate WBAL of Baltimore: “We are aware of unconfirmed reports that Donald’s sailboat, Defiant, may have been spotted by the Mexican Navy.”
“We are not giving up hope and we are remaining hopeful of his return,” she said. “He is an experienced sailor who is well-equipped to expertly handle these types of challenging weather conditions in the Pacific. We are continuing to pray that Donald will be found and will soon return home safely to his family, friends, and sailing supporters.”
Lawson wanted to become the first African American to circumnavigate the globe alone in a sailing vessel no longer than 60 feet, his brother said.
He set off from Acapulco on July 5, and a “storm knocked out one of his engines” on July 9, his brother said.
The U.S. Coast Guard received a report from Lawson’s wife Friday. She told authorities her husband said July 12 that he was “experiencing electrical/mechanical issues with his sail boat and was headed back to Acapulco.”
The last communication was reported to have been about 275 nautical miles off Acapulco on July 12, said Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel of Coast Guard District 11, based in Alumina, California. Quentin Lawson said the family last communicated with him on July 13.
Quentin Lawson said data from his brother’s vessel showed he drastically reduced speed late July 12, when he was traveling with the wind at around 11 knots. But then he changed course and began traveling against the wind, and his speed reduced to 2.9 knots.
“I believe something happened at that moment,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to turn out of the wind into the wind when you’re on emergency route to turn back.”
Mexico’s Maritime Search and Rescue unit is leading the search and rescue operations, the Coast Guard said.