A blind Japanese sailor on Saturday successfully completed a nearly two-month, nonstop voyage from San Diego to Fukushima Prefecture, making him the first person to make a blind sailing across the Pacific Ocean.

52-year-old Mitsuhiro Iwamoto and 55-year-old Douglas Smith arrived at Onahama Port in the city of Iwaki in Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on Saturday morning. They were greeted by a crowd of well-wishers.

Iwamoto completed the 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) Pacific crossing with the help of Doug Smith, an American navigator whom Iwamoto called his “Seeing Eye Doug.” He offered verbal assistance with wind directions.

Iwamoto is an experienced sailor, having competed in the US and Japan for more than 10 years. He first attempted the voyage in 2013, but it was cut short when a blue whale collided with his yacht and sank it.

He was traveling in the opposite direction on his failed attempt, starting off Fukushima Prefecture and aiming to finish in San Diego, with a Japanese navigator. His boat sank five days after leaving port and the two were rescued by the Self-Defense Forces.

Mr. Iwamoto, who lost his sight aged 16, steered the vessel while Mr. Smith gave him verbal guidance, advising him on wind directions and potential hazards.

He is the first blind person to successfully sail across the Pacific without stopping, the Japan Blind Sailing Association says.