In Redondo Beach, California, the U.S. Coast Guard, Redondo Beach Fire and Los Angeles County lifeguard searched for a vessel in distress after crew called 911. A flare sent off by the boa in distress helped rescuers find the boat, but it took an hour due to heavy fog.
The vessel was taking on water and all five passengers were injured, two with critical injuries. The fishermen had been out hoop netting for lobsters when they wandered off course and into shipping lanes. Authorities assume the passengers were unaware they were in dangerous territory because of the foggy conditions.
“For large tankers, even if they’re aware of the vessel being directly in front of them, it takes them several miles to change course of the vessel,” said Division Chief Jason May of the Redondo Beach Fire Department. “They should have been aware. It’s clearly marked on maritime charts the shipping lanes that are used for these large ocean-going vessels,” said May for ABC 7.
As of now, the incident is under investigation and the passengers were taken to the hospital.
