Where’s Rimas?

Early last week, friends of 63-year-old Russian-born sailor Rimas Meleshyus became concerned, as no one seems to know what became of him or his vintage Rawson 30 Mimsy since departing a Schoonmaker Marina end-tie March 7 during a northerly rainstorm. He’d been towed there March 4 by the Coast Guard after his primary anchor rode chafed through in Sausalito’s Richardson Bay anchorage.

Ever since Rimas first made headlines in 2012 — then a complete novice — for grounding his San Juan 24 daysailer in the Aleutian Islands during an ill-conceived attempt to sail alone from Southeast Alaska to Japan, he’s been a polarizing force within the West Coast sailing community: Some regard his ambitious dreams of soloing around the world in a spartan boat to be inspirational, while others consider him an irresponsible fool.

And some, such as Bay sailor Jean Mondeau, are ambivalent. Having given Rimas his current boat, as well as a wealth of gear for his previous boat, Jean has been Rimas’ greatest patron. Nevertheless he tells us he gets frustrated when Rimas doesn’t follow his well-meaning advice, or practice the seamanship skills that he’s been taught.

While Jean and others doubt that Mimsy was simply swept out the Golden Gate — she reportedly had a working diesel and radios — they are more than a bit curious to know "Where’s Rimas?" And so are we. (Please email us if you have new info.)