Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

Coast Guard officials called off a search and rescue operation Wednesday evening after they found a Haines man and his sailboat tucked safe and sound in a bay about 40 miles south of Haines.

The Coast Guard patrol boat Liberty found Scott Pearce, 57, and his 25-foot sailboat Darshan in William Henry Bay after a five-hour search, said Petty Officer Zachary Bristol. Pearce was reported overdue by girlfriend Megan Morehouse Wednesday when he did not arrive in Juneau Monday afternoon as expected.

Pearce left Haines on his boat late Sunday morning to attend the Alaska Folk Festival in Juneau.

Bristol said Pearce decided to pull into the bay due to bad weather. Pearce told the Coast Guard he attempted to make a broadcast, but the signal was likely blocked due to his location, Bristol said.

The Coast Guard deployed two boats and a helicopter for the search.