Coast Guard rescues 2 people from vessel taking on water near San Clemente Island

News Release

Sept. 1, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 11th District PA Detachment San Diego Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment San Diego Office: (619) 278-7025 After Hours: (619) 252-1304

Coast Guard rescues 2 people from vessel taking on water near San Clemente Island

SAN DIEGO – The Coast Guard rescued two people after their vessel began taking on water near San Clemente Island, Friday morning.

At approximately 9:45 p.m., Thursday, the crew of the sport-fishing vessel Topshot II contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Diego’s Joint Harbor Operations Center and reported they had run aground and were taking on water approximately one-half mile northwest of San Clemente Island.

A Coast Guard Sector San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, launched and located the vessel. The Jayhawk crew vectored in the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter’s crew to standby for assistance while Topshot II’s crew attempted to contract with commercial salvage.

At approximately 5 a.m. Friday, the tide change increased water flow into the vessel. Some of Sea Otter’s crew transferred to the vessel to assist with dewatering efforts.

Crews were unable to keep up with the rate of incoming water, and at 6:30 a.m., both fishermen and Coast Guard crews were transferred to the Sea Otter. They were then taken to Ballast Point, San Diego.

The boat's owner has contracted Vessel Assist to remove the vessel.

The Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter is an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in San Diego.

-USCG-