Watch CBS News

Rescued Sacramento Sailor Makes It Home For Wedding Anniversary

SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) -- A 67-year-old Sacramento man rescued after his sailboat was hit and sunk by a whale is back home just in time to take his wife out to dinner for their 23rd wedding anniversary.

Max Young was sailing his 50-foot boat on the final leg of a journey from the East Coast to Emeryville, Calif. when just after dark on June 12 his boat was slammed by a whale he believed to be about 55-feet long.

The impact from the breaching whale was so powerful that it severely damaged the boat. Young activated an emergency beacon, which was alerted the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard directed a merchant ship to the sinking craft.

Once Young was rescued by the freighter's crew, he spent six days on board. He finally made it home to Sacramento Friday, just two days before he and his wife, Debra, celebrate their anniversary.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.