Boat Runs Aground At Laguna's Main Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — On Tuesday night a 26-foot long boat with a failed electrical system ran aground on Main Beach. The broken-keeled boat was reported at approximately 7 p.m., according to Marine Safety Chief Kevin Snow, as the two men on board attempted to get the vessel back into the water.

Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol is investigating what went wrong that allowed the vessel to come aground. Boating laws might have been violated, according to Snow.

"I don't think they realized the vessel had sunk and was resting on the ocean floor," Snow told the OC Register. The boat ended up in the surf line, and neither of the two men suffered injury.

Laguna Beach Police Department Sgt. Jim Cota stated that Vessel Assist was called to remove the boat from the beach, but that the men could not afford to pay the fee that amounted to over $6,500. Vessel Assist is AAA for ocean vessels, according to Cota.

The men onboard were identified as Jahmalik Carpenter of Laguna Niguel and William Lewellen, formerly of Kansas, now a resident of the Friendship Shelter, Laguna Beach's Alternative Sleeping Location. As neither man had anywhere to go, they both went to the ASL that night, according to reports.

The office of Marine Safety monitored the vessel overnight and lifeguards removed fuel tanks and other items that could potentially become hazardous, according to Snow.

Lifeguards found the vessel thoroughly "swamped with water" by Wednesday morning, and headed toward the emerald cove's protected tide pools.

"In the interest of public safety, we had to take immediate action," Snow told the Register. "The boat was coming apart."

Public works was called, and as they pulled the boat on shore it came apart into pieces, according to Snow. All debris was removed by the City of Laguna Beach Public Works team.

Who will foot that bill? According to Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol, an investigation is underway.

Photos courtesy Laguna Beach Police Department