Drawn-Out Coast Guard Rescue off San Diego
Yesterday, the Coast Guard came to the assistance of three sailors on a 35-ft sailboat about 30 miles west of Oceanside, near San Diego.
On Wednesday, the crew of the sailboat called the Coast Guard saying they were disabled by weather, according to a press release (which did not specify what was wrong with the boat). Among the three crew, two were seasick and one had a head injury. The Coast Guard cutter Halibut intercepted the sailboat on Wednesday night, and attempted to do an “at-sea passenger transfer,” but were hindered by the sea state and weather, and were unable to take the stricken passengers onboard the cutter. The Halibut stayed on scene through the night.
Early yesterday morning, the sailboat’s crew said the man with the head injury, who was 80 years old, was suffering from complications with diabetes; a 25-year-old man was also showing signs of dehydration. The Coast Guard sent a helicopter, and the two men were hoisted onboard and taken to a hospital in San Diego.
The remaining sailor — a 54-year-old man — stayed onboard the boat. The Halibut will reportedly tow the sailboat to Avalon Harbor.