Coast Guard Assists off Anacapa Island (CA)

LOS ANGELES — The Coast Guard assisted two individuals after their boat began taking on water Saturday, near Anacapa Island.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. the Coast Guard received a call via VHF radio ch 16 from a 20-foot pleasure craft reporting that the vessel was taking on water.

A Coast Guard Auxiliary boat crew was in the area and overheard the distress broadcast and reported to the scene and began to provide immediate assistance the boaters. The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor to assist. All passengers were instructed to put on lifejackets while resources were en route. The boaters were able to secure the source of the leak and quickly restored power to the vessel.

The Coast Guard small boat crew arrived on scene and completed a safety boarding of the vessel . All boaters were reported to be in good condition and were escorted to nearest safe harbor on Anacapa Island.

The Coast Guard urges mariners to always:

*Wear life jackets while on the water.

*Always have a working marine-band radio on board.

*Carry marine flares on board the vessel.

Ensure bilge pumps are operational and vessels are secure for heavy winds and rain.

For more information on boating safety, visit www.uscgboating.org.