Edhat Staff
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class John Rogers)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard
The Coast Guard rescued three people Friday who were treading water for nearly 90 minutes after their vessel capsized near Anacapa Island.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., Ventura County Fire Dispatch notified Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders of three people in the water approximately a mile north of Anacapa Island.
Ventura County Fire Dispatch was notified by a passenger aboard the vessel via a 911 call from their cell phone. The people were aboard a 17-foot recreational vessel before it capsized, forcing them into the water.
Watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor to assist.
The helicopter crew arrived on-scene and located three people in the water with no life jackets. At the same time, the boatcrew arrived on scene, embarked the people from the water and transported them to Station Channel Islands Harbor where emergency medical services awaited.
The Coast Guard highly recommends all mariners wear life jackets at all times while aboard a vessel. Wearing a life jacket can increase chances of survival during a life-threatening situation.
