SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Yesterday the Coast Guard responded to a call from a 32 foot cabin cruiser with their anchor line caught in their propeller and drifting towards the rocks in the Lady’s Harbor area of Santa Cruz Island.
A Coast Guard rescue helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles and a Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Life Boat from Station Channel Islands were dispatched to the scene. The National Park Service (NPS), Santa Cruz Ranger’s Station also dispatched a rescue boat. The crew of the NPS rescue boat were able to tow the disabled cabin cruiser away from the rocks to safety. The crew of the Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Life Boat assumed the tow from the NPS rescue boat until Vessel Assist arrived to tow the vessel back to Santa Barbara Harbor.
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all boaters file a float plan with a friend or family member on land, with an approximate time of return and location to which you will be heading and to consider the weather condition before getting underway. (
Mariners should check current and forecasted weather conditions prior to getting underway, and remain aware of changing conditions once on the water. The National Weather Service broadcasts weather conditions throughout the day on VHF channel WX2. The Coast Guard broadcasts weather conditions on VHF channel 22A at 9:30 a.m., noon, and 4:30 p.m.
Santa Cruz Island is located about 20 miles off the coast of Ventura, California and is part of the Channel Islands National Park.
