For all those keeping track, Crossfield Mayor Nathan Anderson is now down to seven lives.
Just last summer, Anderson cheated death after he crashed his airplane west of Airdrie.
Recently, the adventurous politician used up another relief when he set sail with friends on a journey from Puerto Vallarta to Hawaii. Anderson met up with Bradley and Mitchell James and his nine-year-old son West, and another friend, Jan. 5, for the trip. The crew spent one week repairing the 38-foot boat before heading westward.
The complications began almost instantly. A stay, which holds the mast, broke. Two sails tore. A battery bank was lost. The wind generator failed. Primary navigation died and they lost light.
ìEvery single thing that could break on that boat pretty much did,î said Anderson.
The quintet reached San Benedicto Island in five long days and a laundry list of repairs began.
With more than 10 sailing days lost due to repair work and a sick fifth passenger, Anderson decided to not continue.
Andersonís wife Brianna flew down to Mexico and the two spent a week diving around neighbouring islands before coming back to Crossfield. The James brothers soldiered on.
Back at his desk performing mayoral duties, Anderson would send the trio weather updates, letting them know of conditions on their route.
During a Feb. 7 council meeting, Anderson received a phone call from Bradley he wonít soon forget.
ì(He said) ëI need you to call in a mayday,íî Anderson recalled.
Thousands of kilometres away, the shipís mast had broken off and the three were in the throes of crashing 20-foot waves.
The brothers eventually reached the U.S. Coast Guard who sent a ship. However, help took hours to arrive as the Coast Guard was hundreds of kilometres away. By about 1:30 a.m., in the black of night amidst a massive storm, not generally seen this time of year, the rescue effort began.
A harrowing hour of swimming in frigid ocean water after their boat capsized, the brothers and son were pulled to safety. Anderson called the Coast Guard first thing the next day.
ìI was scared they might have not made it,î said Anderson.
ìIím glad that I wasnít there and the guys that were there made it out OK.î
