Boater finds man overboard off California island without life jacket, Coast Guard says

A man who fell overboard off California and drifted at sea for nearly an hour was rescued by a nearby boater, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.

A 49-foot vessel reported that a 66-year-old man fell overboard without a life jacket at 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, the Coast Guard said in a news release.

The agency dispatched boats, a cutter and a helicopter to look for the man, the Coast Guard said.

At 4:33 p.m., another vessel notified the agency that it had picked up the missing man about 6 miles northeast of Santa Cruz Island, the Coast Guard said.

A Coast Guard boat met with the vessel and returned the man to his boat, the agency said.

“This incident highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket at all times when underway, especially in rough seas,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Logan Venero, a boatswain’s mate assigned to Station Channel Islands.

“In the unfortunate event of a man overboard, it is important to remain calm, mark the position on the GPS and throw a life ring or other flotation aid towards the person in the water,” Venero said. “It is also important to remain where the person fell off and drift with the prevailing winds and currents.”

Santa Cruz Island is about 30 miles south of Santa Barbara.

This story was originally published August 5, 2024 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Boater finds man overboard off California island without life jacket, Coast Guard says."