Caught in the surf, then flooding dooms the FIREFLY off Morro Bay CA

Captains, The skipper of the FIREFLY is lucky to be alive this Thanksgiving. Make sure your through-hull fittings are intact, especially if you plan to cross the bar alone at midnight. The Coast Guard was called in time for this case, but YOU don't want to have a night like this on your vessel.

MORRO BAY, Calif - The Coast Guard rescued a mariner from a 56-foot recreational boat that sank approximately one and three-quarter miles southwest of the entrance to Morro Bay Harbor just before midnight on Wednesday, November 25th. Coast Guard Station Morro Bay responded with a 47-foot motor life boat to a report that the vessel Firefly was caught in the surf zone off Cayucos, Calif. Morro Bay Harbor Patrol also responded. The mariner maneuvered the vessel out of the surf zone and was heading south to Morro Bay Harbor. The Coast Guard crew located the vessel and commenced an escort to Morro Bay Harbor. During the transit the vessel became disabled with approximately 3-4 feet of water in the engine room. A second motor life boat from Station Morro Bay was launched to further assist. Coast Guardsmen from the motor life boats attempted to dewater the vessel, but it continued to take on water at a greater rate than the pumps could handle. When the vessel was listing hard to starboard and only about 2 inches of freeboard remained, the decision to evacuate the vessel was made. The vessel quickly sank in approximately 150 feet of water. Floating debris from the vessel was retrieved by the Coast Guard and Harbor Patrol. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Santa Barbara is investigating.