CG Responds to Vessel Disabled by Winds

SANTA CRUZ ISLAND, Calif. - The Coast Guard assisted a disabled vessel with two people aboard, that reported to have been disabled by high winds a half mile off the coast of Santa Cruz Island.

The Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach command center received a radio call from the sailing vessel Shannon stating that the vessel had been hit by high winds that spun them around, disabled their engines, and caused the anchor to slip.

An HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles and a 47-foot motor life boat from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands were dispatched to the scene.

The Coast Guard crew aboard the 47-foot motor life boat towed the vessel back to Channel Islands Harbor.

The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to maintain proper safety equipment on their vessel, including flotation devices, flares or smoke signals and a marine VHF radio. Being able to radio or signal for help can mean the difference between assisting a crew in need or searching for a crew lost at sea.