Sailboat Grounded, Skipper Busted

The grounding of a bright yellow Catalina 27 at Ocean Beach, was a minor news story Monday, but it serves as a painful reminder to all who plan to sail south this fall or winter to head several miles out past the Golden Gate before hanging a left. 

The beached sloop, named Sea Bee, reportedly departed Sausalito’s Richardson Bay anchorage Monday morning and was attempting to sail south in light air, dangerously close to shore — as near as 100 feet off the beach, according to one witness. 

After she hit the beach, San Francisco Firefighters, US Park Police and Park Rangers responded, and it was soon discovered that one of the two men aboard (whose names have not yet been released) had outstanding warrants. He was led from the scene in handcuffs. 

This sad tale also serves as a reminder that if your vessel goes aground, it is your responsibility to remove it or pay professionals to do so — and the price tag can be substantial. So be careful out there, and keep plenty of sea room between your boat and our potentially perilous coastline.