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Sacramento Man Rescued From Whale-Struck Yacht Heads Home

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- A northern California man who was rescued from his sinking sailboat off the coast of Mexico spent Father's Day on a freighter bound for Panama, but his wife hopes to see him in time for their 23rd wedding anniversary.

The U.S. Coast Guard says Max Young, of Sacramento, was sailing alone late Tuesday about 40 miles west of La Playa, Mexico, when his 50-foot boat was hit by a whale, lost its steering and started taking on water.

Young's wife, Debra Young, who has been able to talk to her husband while he's on board the merchant ship as it makes its way to Panama, says he's not expected to make it back to Sacramento until Monday or Tuesday of next week, a day or two after their anniversary.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)

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