Coast Guard Assists Sailboat In Islands Race, Injured Crewman

Coast Guard assists sailboat, injured crewman

SAN DIEGO — U.S. Coast Guard crews from San Diego, Sacramento and Warrenton, Ore., assisted a disabled sailboat with an injured crewman approximately 10 miles off Mission Bay during the Islands Race, Saturday.

The 33-foot sailboat Mile High, based in San Diego, contacted the Coast Guard via VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 around 3 a.m., requesting assistance after the boat lost the ability to steer due to a failed rudder.

The crew also requested assistance for a 69-year-old crewman who had fallen into the cockpit and received minor injuries.

A Coast Guard C-130 Hercules airplane from Sacramento was diverted to monitor the vessel and the Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast was dispatched to assist the sailors.

The Steadfast launched their small boat with medical personnel to assess the injured crewman. The crewman was treated and was reportedly in good condition.

A Coast Guard Station San Diego 45-foot response boat crew was launched to tow the Mile High to port. The crew towed the disabled boat toward San Diego, but had to release the tow due to weather conditions.

The response boat crew remained on scene while other mariners delivered replacement parts to the Mile High. The Mile High crew made the needed repairs and made their way to Southwestern Yacht Club where
they safely moored around 2 p.m.

1 Dead, 5 Rescued From Surf After Sailboat Accident

USCG photo

SAN DIEGO — One person is dead and five others were rescued by a San Diego-based Coast Guard aircrew, Saturday, after their boat drifted into the surf and broke apart near San Clemente Island, Calif., during a sailboat race.

The 30-foot sailboat Uncontrollable Urge crew issued a mayday call and activated their Digital Selective Calling feature on their VHF marine radio around 9:26 p.m., Friday, after the sailboat’s rudder failed and they began drifting toward San Clemente Island during the Islands Race.

The crew initially stated they were not in need of assistance and declined assistance from both the Coast Guard and other boaters involved in the race. The sailors requested assistance from a commercial salvage company, however they were unable to launch due to weather conditions.

USCG photo

The sailors attempted to anchor the vessel just after 11 p.m., however the anchor would not catch and the vessel drifted closer to the island. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Coast Guard Sector San Diego and Coast Guard Cutter Edisto was diverted to the scene.

The boat entered the surf line and was broken apart by the waves, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.

The helicopter crew hoisted the six sailors and brought them to the Sector where they were met by emergency medical personnel for transport to a local hospital.

The weather on scene was 8-foot swells with 10-knot winds with a small craft advisory in effect.