LOS ANGELES – The Coast Guard rescued a man after his vessel ran aground north west of Santa Cruz Island, Monday.
At 6:55 p.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a Mayday call over VHF ch 16, from the 27-foot sailing vessel Ollie. The 67-year-old man aboard reported that his vessel had run aground and initially provided incorrect coordinates. However, with the Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 system, watchstanders were able to locate the correct location of the man.
The man’s vessel was located aground near the shoreline where he was able to collect his belongings and safely wait on shore. A Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles MH-65 helicopter crew landed on Santa Cruz Island and safely transferred the man to Oxnard airport to awaiting EMS.
Rescue 21 is the Coast Guard’s advanced command, control and direction-finding communications system. It was created to better locate mariners in distress and save lives and property at sea and on navigable rivers. By harnessing state-of-the-market technology, Rescue 21 enables the Coast Guard to execute its search and rescue missions with greater agility and efficiency.