LOS ANGELES — The Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Los Angeles County Lifeguards rescued seven people near Catalina Island after their vessel overturned Saturday.
At 9:30 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach operations center received a report from the good Samaritan vessel Pacific Quest, reporting that a 15-foot skiff with seven people aboard had overturned near Salta Verde Point on the backside of Catalina.
The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-foot patrol boat from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles, a Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, homeported in Marina Del Rey, along with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Air Rescue 5 and Air Rescue 15 to assist in the search. Baywatch Avalon and Baywatch Isthmus also coordinated with rescue efforts.
The good Samaritan rescued two boaters out of the water and reported seeing another boater on the rocks. A Coast Guard Air Station San Diego Jayhawk helicopter crew rescued the individual from the rocks. Baywatch Isthmus and Baywatch Avalon also recovered three individuals from the water. A Catalina Island Conservancy officer located the seventh individual on the beach.
Waves in the area were reported to be between four and six feet.
