Edhat Staff
Anacapa Island (Photo: National Park Service)
Source: U.S. Coast Guard
A Coast Guard helicopter and boat crew located and rescued two men in the vicinity of Anacapa Island, Wednesday evening.
Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders received a recorded distress digital selective calling alert (DSC) and an alert from a personal locator beacon (PLB) from two men on an inflatable kayak in the vicinity of Anacapa Island at approximately 5:50 p.m.
Watchstanders diverted a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco’s Forward Operating Base Point Mugu and a 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor to respond.
During the search the MH-65 Dolphin crew located the two men and verified that they activated the DSC and PLB alerts. The MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew hoisted down a marine radio to the two men to allow for communication between the mariners and the Coast Guard. The 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew arrived on scene at approximately 7:45 p.m., brought the two men aboard and transported them to back to Santa Cruz Island.
The men were last reported in stable condition.
The three most reliable forms of communication for recreational boaters are the VHF radio equipped with digital selective calling (DSC), the emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and the personal locator beacon (PLB). Having this equipment with you when out on the water provides rescuers an exact position and can even provide them with the nature of the emergency. 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.
