Expert Advocacy

Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Newport Yacht Race Participant

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for the last of four boaters who were lost when the yacht they were racing collided with another object on the ocean, possibly a large ship. The other three boaters all lost their lives in the accident.

The suspected crash involved a yacht known as the Aegean. The yacht and her four crew members were competing in the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race. The accident was discovered by two race employees riding in a safety boat, who first realized something was wrong when they came across shards of the yacht floating in the water, none more than six inches long. Once they came across a lifeboat with an identification number and the yacht’s nameplate, they were able to identify the lost vessel.

Two of the lost yachters were recovered by the team in the safety boat that discovered the accident and another was found by the U.S. Coast Guard. The fourth member of the yacht’s crew is still missing.

Investigators speculate that the yacht was hit by a larger vessel, such as a freighter. Other race participants had reported hearing a larger ship in the area near the time when the accident likely occurred.

Boating is a popular summer activity on southern California’s sunny ocean waters, but when something goes wrong, a fun trip or a challenging race can turn quickly into a tragedy. If you or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced San Diego boat accident attorneys. Your initial telephone consultation is free and confidential.