A man was rescued Sunday by the U.S. Coast Guard and crew aboard the container ship Polar Mexico after his 34-foot sailing vessel, the Spiritus, disabled 35 miles off Cape Canaveral. The incident occurred Feb. 22, 2026, according to Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville records. The vessel was taking on water and listing when the Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft located it. The crew of the Polar Mexico then brought the man aboard safely with no injuries reported.
The Coast Guard received the initial distress call via VHF-FM channel 16 from the cruise ship Carnival Elation, which was operating in the area. The Carnival Elation reported the Spiritus was disabled approximately 33 miles offshore of Port Canaveral. The Coast Guard directed the Polar Mexico to the scene, where the container ship’s crew conducted the rescue.
The Spiritus, a sailing vessel, had no power and was unable to move, prompting the call for assistance. The Coast Guard’s HC-144 aircraft provided real-time guidance to the Polar Mexico, which arrived at the scene swiftly. The man was transferred to the container ship and later taken to safety.
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center watchstanders coordinated the operation, ensuring a swift response. No injuries were reported among the man or the rescuers. The incident highlights the importance of maritime communication and the role of commercial vessels in emergency situations.
The Spiritus was later towed to Port Canaveral for repairs, according to local maritime authorities. The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the vessel’s failure, though no immediate hazards to navigation were reported during the rescue.