Sailor Kai Sato rescued after 34 days lost at sea

Kai Sato, 39, from California, spent 34 days lost at sea after his solo sailboat voyage from the Catalina Islands to Hawaii went awry.

The sailboat's mast failed two weeks into the voyage, leaving the vessel without main power and drifting off course.

After the engine ran out of fuel, Sato improvised repairs using PVC pipes and kayak paddles to create a makeshift sailing system.

He steered toward shipping corridors between California and Hawaii, hoping to be spotted by commercial vessels.

Sato survived on limited supplies and described the first week after the accident as emotionally difficult.