On Way to Sea, Coast Guard Makes Rescue On Land

As safety and rescue teams from near and far were positioning themselves to assist with the Mavericks Invitational surfing championship last week in Half Moon Bay, one group of maritime officers was temporarily sidetracked in a rescue of another type.

According to Dep. Rebecca Rosenblatt of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, on Friday, Jan. 24, a van full of eight United States Coast Guard Maritime Safety & Security Officers, enroute to Mavericks, noticed a vehicle overturned along the eastbound side of Highway 92.

The group pulled their van to the side of the road and ran to the scene to assist. Seeing the truck was empty, the group fanned out to search for the driver in case he was injured.

Approximately 100 yards away, up against the tree line, they located the driver in a state of confusion, according to Rosenblatt.

The officers identified themselves and told the man they were there to help. The Coast Guard Officers then detained the man, whom they noticed was displaying symptoms of intoxication, then passed him along to San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office deputies. 

Sheriff's deputies contacted the California Highway Patrol to conduct a DUI investigation, and a short time later, deputies arrested the man, 32-year-old Ric Dustin Acosta of San Lorenzo, under suspicion of DUI. 

"I'm extremely proud of the actions these members took and the way they handled the situation," said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher White, MSST 91105 commanding officer.

"As the first people on scene, our Coast Guard crews did exactly as their 
training dictates by assessing the scene for anyone in need of assistance. The Coast Guard members took action to protect everyone in the immediate area. This is a prime example of the professionalism Coast Guard members display in every aspect of their lives," added White.