Current:Home > ScamsCoast Guard suspends search for 4 missing boaters who went crabbing in Northern California-LoTradeCoin
Coast Guard suspends search for 4 missing boaters who went crabbing in Northern California
View Date:2024-12-23 18:37:47
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for four missing boaters near Bodega Bay in California around 6:30 p.m. Sunday following a rescue mission that lasted approximately 57 hours.
“The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly” U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing boaters during this incredibly difficult time."
Six boaters − three adults and three children − who had gone crabbing off the coast of Bodega on board a 21-foot white Bayliner boat, were reported missing around 10:20 p.m. Saturday after they failed to return to shore in Sonoma County north of San Francisco, Sonoma County Sheriff said in a post on Facebook.
They were last heard from at about 3 p.m. and a "cell phone ping suggested the boat was last in the area of Carmet Beach," the sheriff's office said.
USCG, in a news release Sunday, said the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office alerted them about the incident around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, adding the boaters had "departed from Westside Marina at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday and were due to return by 7 p.m. the same day."
A search operation was launched and two boaters from the vessel were located Sunday morning, the USCG said, while efforts to look for the remaining individuals continued. One of the two boaters located was found alive and received medical treatment, the sheriff's office said, while the second person, a 17-year-old boy, was "pronounced deceased at the scene." Debris of the boat were also found along the coast during the search.
After searching for "approximately 57 combined hours" and covering "more than 2,100 square miles," the operation was called off Sunday.
Authorities did not detail why and how the boat collapsed and did not share further information on the other boaters. The USCG did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for an update on the incident.
Rob Dillian, a spokesperson with the sheriff's office, told USA TODAY Tuesday that while details into how and why the boat capsized are still being investigated, it is likely that rough ocean conditions with "large swells and high winds" led to the boat losing balance and ultimately capsizing.
"The Coast Guard urges all mariners, experienced or not to always check the weather conditions before heading out on the water, file a float plan and carry a working VHF radio to call for assistance," the coast guard advised in its statement.
Several agencies including multiple units of the coast guard, U.S. Air Force, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and the Civil Air Patrol were involved in the search operation.
Authorities have requested anyone with information on the incident to contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco at (415) 399-3502.
Second boat capsizes
In a similar incident, another boat with two men on board capsized near Mussel Point, south of Salmon Creek, close to where the previous accident had taken plane, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release Monday.
A hiker alerted authorities of the incident around 7:10 a.m. Monday, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook Monday evening.
"Sonoma County Sheriff Marine Unit was already in the area preparing to search for the boaters who went missing late Saturday night," USCG said and were able to locate one of the men on board the boat at about 7:40 a.m. The unit attempted to revive the man, but he did not survive. The search for the second man, meanwhile, continued and was suspended Tuesday morning, the USCG said in a post on X.
"The ocean conditions are dangerous right now, with large swells and high winds in the afternoon and evening," the U.S. Coast Guard said in the news release. "We advise everyone to use caution and understand the forecasted conditions."
Sonoma County Sheriff Marine Unit will conduct an investigation into this accident and Saturday night’s accident, authorities said.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (71554)
Related
- Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of the economy and jobs. Here’s how and why
- 6 suspects arrested in murder of soccer star Luke Fleurs at gas station in South Africa
- Ralph Puckett Jr., army colonel awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during Korean War, dies at 97
- Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan announce two new Netflix series, including a lifestyle show
- Kentucky woman seeking abortion files lawsuit over state bans
- The Daily Money: Inflation remains hot
- Look back at Ryan Murphy's 'The People v. O.J. Simpson' following athlete's death
- SMU suspends CB Teddy Knox, who was involved in multi-car crash with Chiefs' Rashee Rice
- Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor
- Former NBA guard Ben McLemore arrested, faces rape charge
Ranking
- The Best Gifts for Men – That He Won’t Want to Return
- Biden Administration Slams Enbridge for Ongoing Trespass on Bad River Reservation But Says Pipeline Treaty With Canada Must Be Honored
- Untangling Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's Years-Long Divorce Trial
- AP WAS THERE: OJ Simpson’s slow-speed chase
- 'I know how to do math': New Red Lobster CEO says endless shrimp deal is not coming back
- O.J. Simpson dies at 76: The Kardashians' connections to the controversial star, explained
- Horoscopes Today, April 11, 2024
- Coast Guard, Navy rescue 3 stranded men after spotting 'HELP' sign made with palm leaves
Recommendation
-
Jason Kelce collaborates with Stevie Nicks for Christmas duet: Hear the song
-
HELP sign on tiny Pacific island leads to Coast Guard and Navy rescue of 3 mariners stranded for over a week
-
Untangling Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan's Years-Long Divorce Trial
-
What to know about Elon Musk’s ‘free speech’ feud with a Brazilian judge
-
Beyoncé has released lots of new products. Here's a Beyhive gift guide for the holidays
-
Powerball winning numbers for April 10 drawing: Did anyone win $31 million jackpot?
-
Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey says the abortion ruling from justices he chose goes too far
-
Off-duty SC police officer charged with murder in Chick-fil-A parking lot shooting