One person is dead and five others were rescued after their boat drifted into the surf and broke apart near San Clemente Island during a sailboat race Friday night.
Authorities said the crew issued a mayday call at around 9:30 p.m., after the sailboat’s rudder failed and the boat began drifting toward San Clemente Island during the Islands Race.
The crew initially said they didn’t need help and declined assistance from both the U.S. Coast Guard and other boaters involved in the race.
The sailors attempted to anchor the vessel just after 11 p.m., however the anchor would not catch and the vessel drifted closer to the island.
The boat entered the surf line and was broken apart by the waves, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel.
A Coast Guard helicopter was called to assist. The crew hoisted the six sailors and brought them to Coast Guard Headquarters in San Diego.
One of the sailboat crew members died in the wreck, but five others were taken to area hospitals.
There was a small craft advisory in effect and the swells were about 8 feet.
Courtesy of www.10news.com