LOS ANGELES — The Coast Guard is searching for a possible missing boater near San Clemente Beach.
Missing is Joseph St. Jean, 49. Click here for photo.
At 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles Operations Center in Long Beach received a report from Newport Harbor Patrol that a 24-foot sailboat was tumbling in the drift near San Clemente Beach.
The Coast Guard immediately launched a 45-foot Response Boat — Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles and an MH-65D helicopter from Air Station Los Angeles along with a rescue boat and helicopter from Dana Point Harbor Patrol and the Newport Sheriff's Department to assist in the search.
The vessel was reported to have a backpack on board as well as a cell phone belonging to St. Jean.
The Coast Guard Cutter Halibut, homeported in Marina Del Rey, continues to monitor the area. Newport sheriff's boatcrews are searching the area for St. Jean.
If anyone has any information, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles Command Center at (310) 521-3815.