File photo of breakwater.
Long Beach marine safety officials successfully saved a 36-foot Grand Banks yacht that had been leaking profusely, slowly sinking into the water early Thursday evening, they announced late last night.
The rescue of the power boat came after saving six people, including three adults, two children and one infant, according to the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD).
“At approximately 6:00pm on July 21, 2016, Long Beach Fire Department’s Marine Safety Rescue Boats 1 and 2 responded to a 36-foot power vessel sinking approximately 2.5 miles from shore with 6 passengers aboard,” the LBFD release stated. “The passengers were able to disembark onto a bait barge until rescue boats arrived.”
The LBFD attributed their rescue of the boat to “aggressive dewatering procedures,” which resulted in preventing the vessel from sinking and its eventual, safe transfer to its home slip in Spinnaker Bay (Alamitos Bay).
PREVIOUSLY: Six Escape as 39-Foot Yacht Leaks, Slowly Sinks off Long Beach Waters
On 07/21/16 at 10:41AM | The slow sinking of a leaking 36-foot Grand Banks yacht off the Long Beach coast left six survivors with no apparent injuries on a fisherman’s barge this evening, according to Long Beach marine safety officials.
Long Beach Fire Department (LBPD) spokesman Jake Heflin said dispatch received a call of distress regarding a leaking boat on the eastern side of the breakwater at approximately 5:54PM, and rescue boats were on the scene at 5:55PM.
All six people are accounted for and were left waiting on a fisherman’s bait barge, according to Heflin. He said additional rescue boats will likely be sent to bring the individuals back to shore. None of the passengers appeared to be injured, and no paramedic assistance was requested.
According to Heflin, the boat did not fully sink. When officials arrived, it was “fairly low” after water had leaked inside.
“The rescue boats are attempting to secure the leak and are conducting de-watering” with the hope of eventually towing the boat to safe harbor, said Heflin.
The cause of the leak has yet to be identified.
The slow sinking of a leaking 39-foot Grand Banks yacht off the Long Beach coast left six survivors with no apparent injuries this evening. Read more: lbpo.st/29SlZ5p Video courtesy of the Long Beach Fire Department.
Posted by Long Beach Post on Thursday, July 21, 2016
Video courtesy of the Long Beach Fire Department.
This report was updated on Friday, July 22, with new information concerning the size of the yacht.