An ill-advised ocean outing become a combat for survival Sunday afternoon for 19 folks after a ship crashed into the rocky breakwater off Lengthy Seashore as a robust storm lashed the Southland.
“Apparently they’d gone out crusing and met with some gale-force winds,” stated Brian Fisk, a firefighter and public info officer for the Lengthy Seashore Hearth Division.
The 40-foot sailboat discovered itself in uneven, storm-riled waters when winds snapped its mast, rendering it troublesome if not unattainable to regulate. The craft ended up battered and tossed in opposition to the Lengthy Seashore breakwater close to the mouth of Alamitos Bay, with these aboard scrambling up the rocks, briefly secure however stranded and in peril.
The misery name got here in to the Lengthy Seashore Hearth Division at 2:50 p.m. over Channel 16, which is reserved for emergencies, Fisk stated. The division despatched two rescue boats and lifeguards.
Earlier than the skilled rescuers arrived, eight folks already had been extricated — both by individuals who heard in regards to the state of affairs on a scanner, had been alerted by these on board or noticed what was occurring. Hearth Division rescuers introduced the remaining 11 to security.
“The climate not solely brought on the accident,” Fisk stated, “however hampered our rescue effort.”
One particular person suffered non-life-threatening accidents.
“These folks had been actually fortunate,” Fisk stated.
