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several that have occurred in California in the past couple of years who did not. This has been a valuable lesson to me and I hope by sharing it we can keep others from perishing needlessly while we pursue our favorite sport.”
Marina del Rey
A little farther up the coast authori- ties and boat towing services were hailed to rescue not one but 12 people overboard as the 35-foot Baja they were on was sinking more than a mile off the coast of Marina del Rey on May 1. Capt. Brian Wood, owner-operator
of SeaTow Santa Monica Bay, said the 35-footer was idle in the water and parked stern to swell (as opposed to bow to swell), causing the boat and engine to take on water. The 12 occu- pants on board likely did not know the boat was taking on water until it began to sink. Wood told The Log he received a
Mariner’s Notice of a boat taking on water and immediately headed toward the location. When he arrived the fi rst thing he noticed was the vessel’s bow was down. He then noticed all 12 of the vessel’s occupants in the water and wearing life vests. He was able to rescue eight people out of the water by the time Sheriff’s deputies arrived. The other four people were taken aboard Sheriff’s craft to safety, according to Wood.
The SeaTow owner and operator said one of the most important rules is to make sure there are enough life jack- ets for everyone aboard the vessel and they are either wearing them or can easily access one in case of emergency.
Foil ’s crew acted quickly when a crewmember fell into the water while sailing near Northern Coronado Island during the Newport to Ensenada race. They threw him a buoy, brought him aboard and took him to San Diego for medical treatment.
The Log • May 20 - June 2, 2016 • 13
bigger target and easier to see, whereas most of your body is underwater and fi nding a head in the vast open space of water is far more diffi cult. If you are still on a vessel as it starts to sink and you can call for help then be sure to call for mayday on the radio. Do not call 911 from your cell phone, as you will be connected with emer- gency services on land. A mayday call through VHF increases your chances of another boater or maritime orga- nization (Coast Guard, Harbor Patrol, SeaTow, Vessel Assist) receiving your distress call. Also make sure the radio is on 16 for emergency transmissions. Radios can be a life saving device,
Wood said, as you are more likely to get a hold of someone quicker.
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SeaTow reminds boaters to issue a mayday call through VHF; not a cell phone.
If there is indeed an emergency and you are not wearing a life jacket then be sure to put one on as fast as you can (and without panicking). Trying to swim to shore once you
are in the water is probably the worst thing to do. Not only is it harder for another boater in the area to see you but also it would be diffi cult for any arriving rescuers to fi nd anyone who wades away from a sinking or sub- merged vessel. Wood said fi nding a human in the water after a boat sinks is like looking for a watermelon fl oating in the water. Stay as close to the boat as possible
and remain with or near the vessel as long as you can, Wood said. A boat is a
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