Boat capsizes near Santa Cruz County beach

SANTA CRUZ — A large northwest swell capsized a boat heading out of Santa Cruz Harbor Thursday evening. Through a multi-agency response, the boat’s operator was rescued, and the vessel, which flipped at the surf line near Twin Lakes State Beach, was later recovered and brought to the harbor.

According to State Parks Public Safety Superintendent Capt. Gabe McKenna, the call came in around 5:15 p.m. Thursday, prompting State Parks peace officers and lifeguards to respond alongside Central Fire, Santa Cruz Fire, AMR and Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol.

“The call was for a capsized vessel near the harbor mouth,” said McKenna. “We had a very large northwest swell with a low tide during that time, and the transit out of the harbor and into the ocean was very dangerous.”

McKenna mentioned that the National Weather Service had issued a beach hazard statement, which remained in effect until 11 p.m. Friday. He said that in the initial call, it was reported that one to two people were in the water along with a dog. However, just one 39-year-old man was in the approximately 20-foot-long Bayliner and no details were known about the canine.

“Ultimately, the male got to shore and was transported to Dominican,” said McKenna. “Last night after the incident, the Sheriff’s Office, State Parks peace officers and Harbor Patrol were able to secure and remove that vessel from the beach, and that boat is being held at the harbor.”