14 people rescued after charter boat hits rock, sinks near Santa Cruz Island

Tom Bolton
·2 min read
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Fourteen people were rescued in the early hours on Thursday after a charter boat struck a rock and began sinking near Santa Cruz Island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

At about 2:30 a.m., the Coast Guard Command Center in Long Beach received a mayday call from the captain of the charter passenger vessel Sea Jay reporting that it was taking on water, the Coast Guard said.

The captain told the 10 passengers and three crew members to abandon the boat while he anchored the vessel and released the life raft. He then boarded the raft as well.

In response, a small boat was launched from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands, and a helicopter was dispatched from Forward Operating Base Point Mugu.

The Coast Guard also issued an emergency broadcast requesting help from any nearby vessels while crews were en route to the scene.

A nearby boat, the Sea Biscuit, heard the broadcast over the radio, quickly arrived on the scene, and began to recover the survivors, the Coast Guard said.

A short time later, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife small boat and a Coast Guard Station Channel Islands small boat arrived to transport the survivors to shore, where emergency medical services were standing by.

No injuries were reported.

“This was a dynamic case that resulted in lives saved due to the quick actions of a good Samaritan, our Coast Guard watch-standers, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife,” said Capt. Ryan Manning, commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach.

“Thankfully, we were able to quickly respond to ensure all persons made it home safely.”

The Sea Jay, which reportedly is based out of Channel Islands Harbor, is fully submerged and anchored.

“Passengers and crew are safe. That’s all what matters,” Seajay Sportfishing wrote on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon. “Thanks to all for your concerns. She is my great memory. And I will move forward to protect its name and memories.”

The Coast Guard said a sheen has been reported in the vicinity of the vessel, and the boat’s diesel fuel tanks have a total capacity of 220 gallons.

The Coast Guard was working with partner agencies to respond to the pollution and investigate the cause behind the grounding and sinking.