Container ship rescues sailboat crew in Pacific

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SEATTLE — The Coast Guard says a container ship has rescued three people from a disabled 32-foot sailboat adrift nearly 800 miles west of the California-Oregon border.

Petty Officer 1st Class George Degener in Seattle says the crew of the Hale’s Revenge was safely taken aboard the 965-foot Hyundai Grace on Monday morning in 20-foot seas. The ship is continuing to Panama.

The sailboat was on its way from Honolulu to Everett, Wash., when it was damaged in the high seas and 45 mph winds. It activated an emergency beacon Sunday evening.

The cargo ship responded as part of the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system, or Amver.

Degener says there are no plans to salvage the sailboat at this point. Other mariners have been notified of the hazard to navigation.