(File photo of Guo Chuan and his Super Trimaran "China Qingdao")

Survival chances may be rising for legendary Chinese sailor Guo Chuan, even after he has been missing on a solo trans-Pacific voyage for 20 days. A recent search revealed that Guo may have fallen into the water while wearing a life jacket and connected to a safety rope.

The 51-year-old Chinese mariner went missing on Oct. 25, as he was attempting to sail from San Francisco to Shanghai in 20 days or less. Had he managed his goal, he would have set a new solo trans-Pacific world record, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Chances for Guo's survival were reportedly slim, but a search of Guo’s Super Trimaran "China Qingdao" on Nov. 11 uncovered a ripped safety rope knot, indicating that Guo was wearing a life jacket and safety rope, according to Guo’s official WeChat sailing account.

A post on the account added that rescuers found the boat damaged, seemingly from sustaining a hard hit. However, it remains to be seen whether Guo’s disappearance is directly related to whatever incident damaged the boat. Rescuers also confirmed that the boat's jib fell into the water due to a broken tack, and Guo may have put on his life jacket to salvage the fallen jib, only to fall in himself when the boat was struck.

The account added that it would be dangerous for a sailor to be pulled by a moving boat, but the safety rope knot may have been ripped by Guo, attempting self-rescue. Further investigations will attempt to learn when and how the safety knot was ripped. 

(File photo of Guo Chuan)