A sailor shared the heartbreaking words that he said to his precious dog when their vessel sunk while both of them were aboard.

The American was eventually rescued in the Gulf of Mexico following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene on Thursday (26 September), as it hit the southeast of the US.

Earl Barcome was living on his 36-foot sailboat named Selkie for a year after his last relationship ended after 30 years, as the 64-year-old hunted for the ‘perfect boat’ as he wanted to set sail for Florida, according to his sister Shirley, who explained this on a GoFundMe page.

He wasn’t alone though, as his 10-year-old Golden Retriever, Gunn, joined him on his travels at sea.

Shirley explained: “Earl’s sailboat was more than just a home. It was the culmination of a lifelong dream, offering him solace and purpose after a difficult chapter in his life.

“But in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, everything he cherished was lost to the Gulf of Mexico,” she revealed, asking for donations.

Earl spent his first year on the water by going through ‘peace and healing’ but as Hurricane Helene began to form in the waters around them, he planned to move away from Helene to a protected inlet, before the boat’s motor failed on its voyage leaving them helpless.

Up to their chests in water in the cabin, he told WBBH: “It was moving mountains of water. Every which way you turn. And these waves were just everywhere you look.”

After this, he turned to his dog, when all hope seemed lost and gave the pooch (and probably himself) some words of wisdom.

“I said, ‘Gun, this isn’t the day we’re going to die, I’m calling the Coast Guard.’”