Chinese sailor Guo Chuan lost contact with land while sailing in waters off the islands of Hawaii. The Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles said on Oct. 26 (local time) that the consulate has been in close contact with the U.S. Coast Guard, rescue teams and Guo’s own support team, urging for a thorough search and rescue operation to be carried out.

According to the consulate general, the rescue is being co-organized by the Chinese Department of Maritime Affairs and the U.S. Coast Guard. Search planes have found Guo's vessel, but Guo was not on board. The consulate general has promised to spare no effort in search and rescue, and to offer all the latest updates.

Guo set sail on his trimaran near San Francisco, on the west coast of the U.S., embarking on a solo trans-Pacific voyage to Shanghai. He was last heard from just after 3:00 p.m. on Oct. 25 (Beijing time).

Guo has been praised as “the first professional sailor in China.” He has won multiple international sailing awards.