PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescues three; monitors vessel adrift

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To view the original press release from Dec. 18, 2011, click HERE

SAN PEDRO, Calif. - The Coast Guard rescued three commercial fishermen after their 33-foot vessel became disabled and began drifting dangerously close to the rocks off of the westernmost point of San Miguel Island in the Channel Islands chain, at about 4 p.m. Sunday.

A Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles hoisted the trio and flew them back to Santa Barbara, Calif., with no injuries.

The drama began when the commercial fishing boat, based out of Santa Barbara, became disabled about 100 yards from the rocks. The men dropped an anchor but it quickly broke free and the second anchor started to drag in the direction of the shoreline. The master radioed the Coast Guard for help at about 2:30 p.m.

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