SAN FRANCISCO — Coast Guard crews rescued three people from a sinking boat in the vicinity of Black Point in San Pablo Bay, Tuesday evening.
At approximately 6:12 p.m. Tuesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco received a 911 relay from the San Rafael Police Department reporting a vessel taking on water in San Pablo Bay after losing propulsion. The watchstanders established cell phone communications with the three people aboard the 18-foot white boat.
Watchstanders directed the people aboard to put on their life jackets, as a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco helicopter aircrew and Station Vallejo 29-foot response boatcrew launched to conduct a search for the distressed mariners. In addition, Sonoma County Fire Department launched a fireboat, and California Highway Patrol also launched a helicopter to assist in the search.
While gathering more information, the watchstanders lost communications with the distressed vessel.
The Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew was able to locate the vessel in San Pablo Bay. Once the helicopter arrived on scene, the Coast Guard 29-foot response boatcrew was diverted directly to the boat taking on water. The response boat arrived on scene, and the distressed boat was partially submerged. The boatcrew rescued the three people from the sunken vessel and transferred them to Black Point.
“Life jackets were critical to a successful outcome in this rescue case,” said Petty Officer Jessica Rockson, an operations center watchstander. “I'm glad we were able to locate and bring these three people safely ashore.”
The Coast Guard would like to remind everyone to always wear their life jackets. Always carry a marine-band radio, have a float plan and communicate it with friends and family who will notify authorities if you don't return or report in as planned, do not boat under the influence, and always have enough life jackets onboard for everyone.