Two Fishermen Found Deceased in Capsized Vessel

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November 29, 2008

Public Affairs (415) 740-4364 or (510) 772-8865

Half Moon Bay, Calif. -- Two deceased adult males were discovered inside an overturned recreational vessel following a Coast Guard search of the waters off of Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, today.

At approximately 10 a.m., a Good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector San Francisco that they had sighted an overturned 22-foot motor vessel approximately one nautical mile off Pillar Point Harbor. The Coast Guard immediately issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to notify other vessels in the area, and launched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Golden Gate in Sausalito.

While the Pillar Point Harbormaster conducted an offshore search with four vessels, the San Mateo Sheriff's Department conducted a landside investigation in an attempt to determine additional information regarding the vessel and her crew. During this inquiry, a family member confirmed that the vessel owner and a relative did depart on a fishing trip early this morning.

At approximately 11 a.m., weather conditions had improved enough for Sector San Francisco to launch an HH-65 "Dolphin" helicopter from Air Station San Francisco, and divert the 87-foot Patrol Boat "Sockeye" from Bodega Bay to assist with the search. Poor visibility due to fog conditions and 10-foot swells continued to present difficult search conditions for agencies involved in the search effort.

At approximately 3 p.m., the Pillar Point Harbormaster towed the 22-foot motor boat into the harbor, and righted the vessel. The bodies of two adult males, matching the description reported by the family member, were discovered inside the vessel.