At 3:58 a.m., Coast Guard Sector San Francisco received a distress call from the 52-foot Cabin Cruiser “Giant Feet” stating that the vessel was taking on water. The Coast Guard immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) to alert other vessels in the area to the situation, and launched a 41-foot Utility boat from Station San Francisco. Air Station San Francisco, and an Auxiliary Mobile Unit were also briefed for launch.
At 4:30 a.m., an HH-65 “Dolphin” helicopter from Air Station San Francisco arrived on scene, along with vessels from Foster City, San Mateo County, and Menlo Park Fire. At 4:50 a.m., the Response Boat from Station San Francisco arrived on scene to assess the situation.
Due to the shallow depth of the water, none of the response vessels were able to safely reach the grounded vessel. However, the helicopter was able to deploy a small liferaft, along with a Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician, or “rescue swimmer” near the vessel. Working with Foster City Fire Department’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), response personnel were able to rescue all of the people onboard the vessel. Passengers were taken to San Mateo County Fire Department’s Incident Command Post at Coyote Point Marina where Emergency Medical Services were waiting to provide care.
The Coast Guard is currently sending additional personnel to the site to assess for evidence of pollution, and will work with the vessel owner today to develop a salvage plan for the grounded Cabin Cruiser.
