MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter from FOB Point Mugu file photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sondra-Kay Kneen.
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – A Coast Guard helicopter crew located the missing male in the water who was last seen heading towards Catalina Island aboard a jet ski Sunday night.
At approximately 7:50 p.m., the Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew located Jean Carlos Cheryl approximately eight nautical miles southeast of the Long Beach Lighthouse.
Cheryl was hoisted into the helicopter and transported to Long Beach Airport. Long Beach Fire Department transported him from the air port to Long Beach Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
At approximately 10:48 a.m., a friend of Cheryl reported him missing to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. Cheryl was last seen in Long Beach at approximately 9:40 a.m. and was expected in Catalina Island later in the day.
Watchstanders dispatched Coast Guard Cutters Blacktip, Hawksbill and a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
At approximately 2:00 p.m., the Coast Guard helicopter crew reported locating the red and white jet ski in the vicinity of Long Beach.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Long Beach Fire Department, Long Beach Life Guards and Seal Beach Life Guards assisted with the search.
