The Coast Guard and a good Samaritan rescued a man overboard approximately six miles northeast of Santa Cruz Island, California last Saturday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach command center received a call from a 49-foot boat at approximately 3:45 p.m. reporting a 66-year-old man fell overboard with no lifejacket.
Watchstanders diverted Coast Guard Station Channel Islands 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crews and Coast Guard Auxiliary air support. Withstanders also coordinated the launches of the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin and a Coast Guard Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter air crew. Towboat US, and a good Samaritan aircraft also assisted in the search.
At approximately 4:33 p.m. a good Samaritan vessel, “Perception” located and recovered the man. Towboat US met with the Perception, confirmed the identity of the man, and Station Channel Islands RB-M boat crews embarked the man and transferred him back to the 49-foot vessel.
“This incident highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket at all times when underway, especially in rough seas,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Logan Venero, a boatswain’s mate assigned to Station Channel Islands. “In the unfortunate event of a man overboard, it is important to remain calm, mark the position on the GPS and throw a life ring or other flotation aid towards the person in the water. It is also important to remain where the person fell off and drift with the prevailing winds and currents.”
No medical concerns were reported.