The fishing vessel Jonesita makes way after striking a submerged object near San Clemente Island off the coast of San Diego June 2, 2019. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard provided assistance to the crew aboard a sinking boat near San Clemente Island, approximately 70 miles off the Coast of San Diego late Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
The master of the fishing vessel Jonesita contacted Coast Guard Sector San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center watchstanders at approximately 10:30 p.m., Saturday, reporting they’d struck a rock while pulling up the anchor, were taking on water and were unable to make way.
Watchstanders diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter (WPB-87362) and launched a Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter with a dewatering pump aboard to assist.
Once on scene, the Jayhawk crew rescue swimmer entered the water and swam to the Jonesita to assess the situation and render assistance. Just after midnight, the Jayhawk crew delivered the dewatering pump and the crew of the Sea Otter arrived to help stem the flow of water into the Jonesita.
Once the flooding was under control, the Sea Otter escorted the Jonesita to Mission Bay.
