CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Fire Officials Release Details of Night Rescue of Two

Newport Beach Fire Department officials have released a statement regarding the Wednesday evening rescue of two people whose boat capsized.

Here is the release:

“On 12/29/10 at 2055 hours, the Newport Beach & Costa Mesa Police Department helicopter ‘Eagle’ was requested by Newport Beach Fire & O.C. Harbor Patrol to assist in the search for a capsized boat with two subjects in the ocean. The boat capsized outside the Newport Harbor entrance, but the heavy surf and wind quickly began pushing the boat down the coastline.

“When Eagle arrived, OC Fire Boat 2 advised that one victim had made it to the beach, but the other was unaccounted for. Fire Boat 2 was unable to locate the boat or second victim because of the darkness, heavy surf and wind.

“Eagle conducted an area search of the ocean toward Laguna Beach. The Eagle aircrew, using night vision goggles and forward looking infrared (FLIR), observed a light bobbing in the heavy surf a hundred yards offshore from the north end of Crystal Cove State Park. The subject directed the light toward the helicopter to help the aircrew see him. As Eagle orbited, the aircrew observed a subject in the water struggling to swim to shore.

“Eagle illuminated the victim with the NightSun and radioed to OC Fire Boat 2 the subject’s location. The victim was able to swim ashore. Eagle then coordinated with Newport Beach Fire and Lifeguards to direct them to the victim. Newport Beach Fire Medics contacted the victim. He was uninjured and declined further medical attention.

Eagle was able to locate the victim quickly and coordinate units from multiple agencies to bring the event to a successful conclusion.”

Read our earlier story here.