Fishermen Rescued Off Santa Cruz Coast

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Two fishermen were rescued off of the coast of Santa Cruz Sunday morning after their 27-foot fishing vessel sank, Coast Guard officials said. A jogger called the Coast Guard at 6:30 a.m. after spotting the two stranded on a rock near the coast of Wilder Ranch State Park.

The Coast Guard initiated a rescue and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol assisted with the efforts. The fisherman told rescuers that their boat stuck an object, causing it to break apart. The men were wearing life jackets at the time and swam to the rock.

"Life jackets played a pivotal role in the success of this rescue," said Cmdr. Tim List, the Sector San Francisco search and rescue mission coordinator for this case said. "Life jackets allowed these fishermen to stay afloat so they could make their way to the rocks and call out for help. Heading out to sea can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous, so we always urge boaters and fishermen to wear life jackets at all times when underway."

Emergency medical personnel were waiting to render aid to the men.

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch