The United States Coast Guard was assisted by a good Samaritan in rescuing a man who fell overboard with no life jacket six miles off the coast of Santa Cruz Island.
According to a press release issued by the Coast Guard, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach command center received a distress call from a 49-foot boat around 3:45 p.m. Saturday.
The watchstanders subsequently diverted a 45-foot medium response boat (RB-M) from the Channel Islands Coast Guard Station and deployed auxiliary air support. In addition, the crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Blackfin and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from San Diego also launched in support.
Despite the massive response from Coast Guard officials, it was a good Samaritan that located the man first, USCG said.
“At approximately 4:33 p.m., a good Samaritan vessel located and recovered the man,” the Coast Guard’s release stated. “[Officials with] Towboat U.S. met with the vessel, confirmed the identity of the man, and Channel Islands Station RB-M boat crews embarked the man and transferred him back to the 49-foot vessel.”
The rescue by the good Samaritan – whose boat is aptly named “Perception” — highlights the importance of life jackets, officials said.
“This incident highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket at all times when underway, especially in rough seas,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Logan Venero, a boatswain’s mate assigned to USCG’s Channel Islands Station. “In the unfortunate event of a man overboard, it is important to remain calm, mark the position on the GPS and throw a life ring or other flotation aid towards the person in the water.”
“It is also important to remain where the person fell off and drift with the prevailing winds and currents,” Venero added.
The 66-year-old man who was rescued did not report any medical concerns, officials said.