Dramatic Overnight Rescue Near Santa Cruz Island

Thursday June 15, 2023

(Photo courtesy USCG))

     There was a dramatic overnight rescue of 14 people onboard a passenger vessel that sank off Santa Cruz Island.

     The Coast Guard says around 2:30 AM Thursday morning they received a “mayday” from the captain of the charter passenger vessel “Sea Jay”.

     The captain reported they had struck a rock and were taking on water with ten passengers and four crew members onboard.

     The captain told the passengers and crew to abandon ship while he anchored the vessel and released the life raft before also boarding the raft.

     Meanwhile, the word went out to boaters in the area to see if anyone could offer assistance and the Coast Guard launched its own resources including a small boat from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands and a helicopter from their forward operating base at Point Mugu.

     A nearby vessel the “Sea Biscuit” heard the broadcast and quickly arrived on scene to begin to rescue the passengers and crew.

     A small boat from California Fish and Wildlife Service also responded and they along with the Coast Guard boat arrived to take the 14 people and transport them to shore where medical personnel checked them out.

     The “Sea Jay” meanwhile was recovered and removed by Saturday and the investigation into exactly what happened was continuing.