SAN DIEGO – Coast Guard and San Diego lifeguard units are currently searching for a possible vessel that is taking on water a mile north of Point Loma, Calif.
A local vessel salvage company notified the Joint Harbor Operations Center (JHOC) about 5 p.m., of a radio call they received stating a 20-foot pleasure craft with four people aboard was taking on water and were in need of help. The call stated there is one adult and three children aboard the boat in need.
A Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter was launched from Coast Guard Sector San Diego, along with the Coast Guard Cutter Petrel, a 41-foot response boat, as well as several San Diego Lifeguard assets to search for the boaters. The JHOC has also issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast asking mariners in the area to notify the Coast Guard and lend assistance, if possible.
The assets are searching offshore in 30-knot winds, six-foot seas and 10 miles of visibility.
The Coast Guard Cutter Petrel is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in San Diego.
Mariners are urged to take extreme caution when venturing out on the water this evening due to gale force winds and a high surf advisory, and are urged to check that all of their safety equipment is on board and in good condition before going underway. This includes a properly fitted personal flotation device for everyone aboard, navigation lights, distress signals and a fire extinguisher. Safety equipment requirements vary by size and type of vessel, for more information visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/.
