Two teen sailors, Laszlo Vernarsky and Tristan Wallace, were rescued by the Coast Guard after thick fog, exhaustion, and equipment failures cut short their 16-foot sailboat journey around Manitoulin Island.
LITTLE CURRENT—Petty Officer, 2nd Class Laszlo Vernarsky, 17, and his 18-year-old friend Tristan Wallace knew that their ambitious journey to sail around Manitoulin Island would be a challenge even for experienced sailors when they set off from Boyle Marine on August 29. However, their journey around Manitoulin Island ended earlier than intended, four days and three nights later.
They got into their 16-foot sailboat, Bruno, with the aim of completing the journey of 280 to 350 kilometres in four or five days. However, thick fog, changing winds, cold, equipment problems, exhaustion, and a lack of suitable places to anchor made it impossible to continue safely.
Yet both PO2 Vernarsky and Tristan regarded the journey as a success. It tested their skills and judgment, and most importantly, they knew when it became too difficult and chose to ask for help.
Subscribe now and have access to all our stories, enjoy exclusive content and stay up to date with constant updates.