The Coast Guard received a call for help from the master of the fishing vessel Patricia Ann, stating they were taking on water at a high rate. A 25-foot response boat and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Morro Bay were dispatched to provide dewatering pumps and assistance to the vessel.
Station Morro Bay crewmembers delivered the dewatering pumps to the floundering fishing boat and were able to keep up with the rate of flooding while the vessel was towed back to a safe port in Morro Bay. The master of the vessel determined the source of the leak was the bait pump.
Coast Guard members conducted a post-mission boarding of the vessel and determined the Patricia Ann lacked sufficient lifesaving equipment, and ordered the master to correct all the safety issues before departing port again.
The Coast Guard urges all boaters, recreational and commerical, to ensure that all required safety equipment is in proper working order and readily accessible in case of emergencies.