Edhat Staff
Santa Cruz Island (Photo: John Wiley)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard
A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two men from Santa Cruz Island Saturday.
Coast Guard 11th District command center personnel notified Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders of a personal locating beacon activation in the vicinity of Santa Cruz Island at approximately12:30 p.m.
Shortly after notification, a man called sector watchstanders requesting assistance after he and another man swam to Santa Cruz Island and reported that their 25-foot white recreational vessel capsized. Watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to respond.
During the search, one of the men fired a flare alerting the aircrew to their position. The aircrew arrived on scene, hoisted both men and transported them to Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and EMS transported them to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
The men were last reported in stable condition and were being treated for symptoms of hypothermia.
“These men took the proper steps in preparing for an emergency at sea,” said Lt. Robert Lapolt, a Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command duty officer. “Their preparedness alerted the Coast Guard to their distress through a personal locating beacon and flares to assist the helicopter crew in finding them quickly.”
The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to ensure they have the proper emergency equipment aboard their vessel to aid in timely rescue if a problem is encountered at sea.
