"It took a long voyage, it was difficult this time."

– Rimas Meleshyus

SAIPAN – Thought to be lost at sea after he was last reported to have been off the coast of Fiji on July 31, renowned sailor Rimas Meleshyus has been found aboard his small yacht.

The yacht was towed into Saipan's port by the Department of Public Safety's Boating Safety Section yesterday, and the sailor told friends via Facebook that he had reached Saipan safely.

He sent a distress call that prompted Boating Safety to respond at 2 a.m. yesterday.

Public safety spokesman Lt. Jason Tarkong said there was a report from DPS Boating Safety of a small sailing boat with a broken mast.

KSPN2 news anchor Sherri Riggs posted a live video on social media showing Meleshyus in good health, to let his friends and followers from the mainland know that he had been found.

Meleshyus left Oak Harbor, Washington, in the summer of 2013 to start his quest of sailing around the world solo.

According to The Daily Astorian's website, Meleshyus left Hilo, Hawaii, in late May and was last heard from on July 31 near Fiji, mentioning that his tiller was damaged.

Meleshyus, in a message to his friend using Sherri Riggs' Facebook account, said he had arrived safely on Saipan.

"It took a long voyage, it was difficult this time," said Melyshus.

He said a storm damaged his sails before reaching the islands of Fiji.

Big plans ahead

He said that after getting his passport and stocking up, and repairing his boat, he plans to go to Japan next, then to Alaska, and after that to Australia and the Indian Ocean.

Meleshyus said if he is still in good health, he wants to visit every port in the world.

The U.S. Coast Guard was the first to meet him at sea and had offered to fly him to safety, but Meleshyus reportedly refused to leave his boat.