Nearby Good Samaritan Called In Report

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog about 18 miles east of Avalon, California, over the weekend when the man’s friend called in to the Coast Guard and reported him missing.

Watchstanders of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles received a distress call at approximately 8 p.m. on Saturday February 15, 2025, from a Good Samaritan on board a 34-foot sailing boat. He reported that his friend and dog had gone missing some time earlier.

The boater was unable to communicate directly with the Coast Guard on channel 16 but was relaying information through TowBoatUS Ventura. The missing person was seen about 4 to 5 hours earlier before he reportedly fell asleep.

The USCG Sector Los Angeles assumed control of the search and rescue coordination, and called for the launch of a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles, diverting the Coast Guard cutter Narwhal, and also requesting air support from Coast Guard Sector San Diego.

Local agencies BayWatch Avalon and BayWatch Cabrillo also provided assistance in the search.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew located the missing boater and his dog in a dinghy about 1,400 yards from the sailboat. He was hoisted to the aircraft and was reported to have mild hypothermia but otherwise no major medical concerns.

BayWatch Cabrillo took on the survivor and transported him to shore where paramedics were waiting for him at the dock. The Coast Guard Station Los Angeles crew towed the dinghy back to the sailboat and the Coast Guard cutter Narwhal then towed the disabled sailing vessel to Newport Beach.

FMI:  www.news.uscg.mil/