Coast Guard rescues 3 people, cat near Point Piedras Blancas

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/13/2018 02:47 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

February 13, 2018

U.S. Coast Guard 11th District PA Detachment LA/LB
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment LA/LB
Office: (310) 521-4260
After Hours: (310) 781-0619
PA Detachment LA/LB online newsroom

Coast Guard rescues 3 people, cat near Point Piedras Blancas 

Coast Guard Station Morro Bay Motor Lifeboat crews arrive on scene to assist a sailing vessel taking on water in the vicinity of Point Piedras Blancas, California, Feb. 12, 2018. Due to inclement weather, three people and their cat were hoisted into a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from the sailing vessel and transported to Paso Robles Airport. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Senior Chief Petty Officer Jay Nilles) Coast Guard Station Morro Bay Motor Lifeboat crews arrive on scene to assist a sailing vessel taking on water in the vicinity of Point Piedras Blancas, California, Feb. 12, 2018. Due to inclement weather, three people and their cat were hoisted into a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from the sailing vessel and transported to Paso Robles Airport. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Fogarty)

 Editor's Note: Please click on images for high resolution and video

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued three people and their cat from a vessel taking on water approximately six nautical miles west of Point Piedras Blancas Monday.

The sailing vessel Bella Gina crew reported to Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach watchstanders that their vessel was taking on water and requested assistance.

Watchstanders dispatched a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Forward Operating Base Point Mugu MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Morro Bay 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew to respond.

The helicopter and boat crews arrived on scene and attempted to dewater and tow the vessel. Due to reported seas of 12-to-14 feet, the boat crew could not safely tow the vessel and recommended the passengers evacuate.

The Dolphin helicopter crew hoisted the three people and their cat from the boat and transported them to the Paso Robles Municipal Airport.

 

-USCG-