Coast Guard Searches For Overdue Boater

Date: 16 March 2008



Coast Guard Searches For Overdue Boater

SAN FRANCISCO, Calf. - The U.S. Coast Guard is aggressively searching for an overdue sailboat that was participating in a sailing race from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Sea Buoy and back. The Sea Buoy marks the entrance to the San Francisco Bay, and is 12 nautical miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The 32-foot sailing vessel "Daisy" left from the Richardson Bay Marina with two adult male sailors onboard to participate in the Double Handed Lightship race. The "Daisy" is a white sailing vessel with green trim. The sail race was expected to last from 9 a.m to 4 p.m Saturday. When the vessel failed to return by 6 p.m., the Coast Guard was notified, and responded by launching all available assets in a coordinated search effort with partner agencies.

The Coast Guard is searching with a C-130 Hercules fixed wing aircraft, an HH-65 Dolphin Helicopter, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat, and a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, as well as shoreside communications units. The Coast Guard has been in contact with local marinas, harbormasters, and park officials to coordinate a search for the vessel or debris in the vicinity of the Golden Gate Bridge and nearby coastline. Searches are expected to continue throughout the night.

The Sailing Vessel "Daisy" was last seen at 1 p.m. in the vicinity of the "3" buoy, which is located approximately five nautical miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge. The vessel was sailing towards the inside of the San Francisco Bay with an incoming tide.

Any persons with information about the location of the vessel are requested to contact the Coast Guard Sector Command Center at (415) 399-3547.