From Bad to Worse for Boat at Linda Mar

Last weekend, a 33-ft sailboat went hard aground on Pacifica State Beach, better known as Linda Mar. According to the Coast Guard, Hecate was washed into the beach at about 1 a.m. on Sunday morning after the vessel ran out of fuel. All four crew aboard the gaff-rigged sailboat were hospitalized with minor injuries, and the boat remained hard aground toward the north end of Linda Mar, a popular beach for novice surfers (there was reportedly a dog onboard as well). The Coast Guard said they coordinated salvage operations with the owner of the vessel, the city of Pacifica and other agencies — the plan was to tow Hecate off the beach and into the Bay on Wednesday.

Reader Martin Murray picked up the story from there: "A salvage crew attempted to tow Hecate off Linda Mar on Wednesday, but she was knocked down in heavy surf and sank a few hundred yards offshore. After the tow line was attached to the boat, two salvage crew remained onboard Hecate while she was towed into the surf. The boat was listing significantly to starboard. After several near knockdowns, a big wave finally knocked the boat on its gunwale and the next wave swamped and sank it. The two crew were flung into the ocean, but were pulled into an inflatable boat that was assisting the tow."

"Within several minutes, the tug turned and headed north toward the Golden Gate. Hecate remains a few hundred yards offshore. All that is now visible is the mast and some shredded sail waving in the breeze."

The boat is in approximately 8 to 10 feet of water, according to the Coast Guard. "The owner of the vessel reported there are no hazardous materials or fuel aboard," a CG press release said. "However, Coast Guard personnel are asking the public and surfers to stay clear of the area until the situation is resolved."