An ill-advised ocean outing became a struggle for survival Sunday afternoon for 19 folks after a ship crashed into the rocky breakwater off Lengthy Seaside as a robust storm lashed the Southland.
“Apparently they’d gone out crusing and met with some gale-force winds,” mentioned Brian Fisk, a firefighter and public data officer for the Lengthy Seaside Fireplace Division.
The 40-foot sailboat discovered itself in uneven, storm-riled waters when winds snapped its mast, rendering it troublesome if not unimaginable to manage. The craft ended up battered and tossed towards the Lengthy Seaside breakwater close to the mouth of Alamitos Bay, with these aboard scrambling up the rocks, briefly protected however stranded and in peril.
The misery name got here in to the Lengthy Seaside Fireplace Division at 2:50 p.m. over Channel 16, which is reserved for emergencies, Fisk mentioned. The division despatched two rescue boats and lifeguards.
Earlier than the skilled rescuers arrived, eight folks already had been extricated — both by individuals who heard in regards to the scenario on a scanner, had been alerted by these on board or noticed what was taking place. Fireplace Division rescuers introduced the remaining 11 to security.
“The climate not solely triggered the accident,” Fisk mentioned, “however hampered our rescue effort.”
One particular person suffered non-life-threatening accidents.
“These folks had been actually fortunate,” Fisk mentioned.