Passenger missing in capsized boat at WindanSea

A 24-foot fishing boat with five passengers capsized at WindanSea beach around 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 9 while fishing for lobster. Four occupants wearing life jackets were rescued by lifeguards and a fifth who didn’t wear a life jacket (the owner of the boat) is still missing.

Rescue teams searched for the missing person until 8:30 p.m. The Coast Guard continued to look for the fifth passenger throughout the night, and the City rescue teams resumed the search at first light in the morning. At least one helicopter from the Coast Guard is participating in the search.

The four rescued victims and a lifeguard were transported to different hospitals. Two of the victims were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and released after being treated and the other two were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital. City’s fire and rescue public information officer Lee Swanson didn’t provide details on whether the latter were admitted in the Emergency Room.

Lifeguard John Bahl, who was injured during the rescue, spent the night at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. “He was hit by a wave and swallowed water. He was admitted to the hospital and spent the night there but he was feeling OK this morning and is expected to be released today,” Swanson said.

San Diego Police received a call at 6:09 p.m. and resorted to the scene to provide crowd control.

Lifeguard Sergeant Ed Harris explained that the cause of the accident was the predicted high surf that forced the authorities to close the Children’s Pool walk and the Ocean Beach Pier. “People should take a look at how high surf is and take into consideration that rescues at night are difficult,” he said

Information will be updated as it’s made available.