Coast Guard Responds to Distressed Sailing Vessel near Channel Islands Harbor

DATE: September 4, 2009 10:40:31 PM PDT

Coast Guard Public Affairs
Detachment Los Angeles

News Release

Date: September 4, 2009
Contact: Lt. j.g. Tyler A. Stutin
(310) 521-3743

Coast Guard Responds to Distressed Sailing Vessel near Channel Islands Harbor

OXNARD, Calif. – The Coast Guard assisted a distressed and disoriented mariner near Channel Islands Harbor, Calif.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles- Long Beach watchstanders received a call at approximately 8 p.m. from a concerned family member. The one person on board the 25-foot sailboat was reported to have suffered a back injury and was unable to maneuver the vessel.

A 41-foot utility boat from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor located the vessel approximately 3 nautical miles off Point Laguna.

The vessel was not equipped with navigational running lights and safety flares were not readily available. The only method of communication on board was a cell phone. The vessel was placed in tow and escorted back to Channel Islands Harbor.

Labor Day weekend is a popular time for boating and mariners are encouraged to be safe and responsible while on the water. The Coast Guard urges proper preparation for recreational boaters, including maintaining all required safety equipment on board. Cell phones, while useful, should not be relied on in place of a working marine-band radio. Additionally, all boats must be able to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and in conditions of reduced visibility.

For more information on boating safety and for required and recommended safety equipment, please visit www.uscgboating.org.

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