Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Boaters off San Pedro

SAN PEDRO - After a two-day search that covered more than 300 square miles south of the entrance to the Port of Los Angeles, the Coast Guard has suspended its efforts to find the missing boaters.

Responders recovered pieces of debris of an accident that likely happened shortly after midnight on October 2. Henry Sanchez, 51, and Penny Avila, 48, were reported to be aboard a 26-foot pleasure craft bound for Santa Catalina Island. Debris included a California vessel number that matches the vessel Sanchez and Avila were reportedly aboard.

“The hearts and prayers of the Coast Guard go out to the families of those involved in this tragic time,” said Captain Paul Wiedenhoeft, the Commander of Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.

If any new information becomes available, search and rescue efforts may resume. Partner agencies are conducting sonar searches of the bottom to assist with the on going investigation.

Port Agencies to Respond to Terrorist Threat During Exercise

LOS ANGELES (D11 Public Affairs) - Harbor residents of Los Angeles and Long Beach will see increased law enforcement activity this Wednesday and Thursday as area emergency responders participate in a 2-day U.S. Coast Guard lead counterterrorism exercise. The exercise is designed to test the Area Maritime Security Plan that was mandated by the Maritime Security Transportation Act of 2002 (MTSA).

The exercise will take place in both the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and include simulated bombings that law enforcement and fire agencies will respond to in real-time. The U.S. Coast Guard, FBI, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments, Long Beach Police and Fire Departments, Los Angeles Port Police, Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach along with maritime industry will be participating in the joint agency exercise. Port facilities will also be testing their own security plans in response to a Coast Guard ordered increase of the Maritime Security (MARSEC) level.

“This exercise is the culmination of a triennial exercise cycle that gives port agencies and maritime industry the opportunity to test interagency coordination, communications, and plans,” said Lt. j.g. Andrew Muñoz spokesman for Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. “The lessons learned from this exercise will be used to update the Area Maritime Security Plan and agency response plans.”

The Area Maritime Security Committee meets quarterly and is lead by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port and FBI. The committee is composed of representatives from federal, state, and local first responders, maritime industry, and organized labor. The purpose of the committee is to maintain the Area Maritime Security Plan and coordinate exercises to test the plan.

The exercise is scheduled to begin the morning of Wednesday, June 25 and go through the afternoon of Thursday, June 26.

Coast Guard Assists 4 Adults and 4 Children

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The Coast Guard assisted eight boaters, including four children, who were in need today when their vessel ran out of gas and required help back to the dock.

Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a phone call around 3:00 p.m. from vessel assist stating a 24- foot pleasure boat had run out of gas and needed help. A rescue boat from Station Los Angeles-Long Beach arrived on scene and took the boat in tow and brought them safely to Rainbow Harbor.

The Coast Guard would like to remind all boaters to be well prepared when they decide to go out on the water. Make sure you have plenty of fuel in the fuel tanks as well as all safety and communications equipment on board. This equipment includes life vests, flares and a cell phone or marine radio to contact help in case it is needed.