LOS ANGELES (AP) - A sailor died and five others were rescued after abandoning a racing boat that lost its steering capability and drifted to an island off Southern California, where it was broken apart by crashing waves, the Coast Guard said Saturday.
The crew of Uncontrollable Urge issued a mayday call Friday night after the 32-foot sailboat's rudder failed and the craft began drifting toward the rocky shore of San Clemente Island, Petty Officer Connie Gawrelli said. The crew initially declined assistance from the Coast Guard and other boaters and requested a tow boat, Gawrelli said.
However, rough seas kept that boat from getting to them.
One of the organizers of the two-day Islands Race said the crew encountered more bad luck when attempts to deploy a life raft and anchor the boat failed.
The crew of Uncontrollable Urge issued a mayday call Friday night after the 32-foot sailboat's rudder failed and the craft began drifting toward the rocky shore of San Clemente Island, Petty Officer Connie Gawrelli said. The crew initially declined assistance from the Coast Guard and other boaters and requested a tow boat, Gawrelli said.
However, rough seas kept that boat from getting to them.
One of the organizers of the two-day Islands Race said the crew encountered more bad luck when attempts to deploy a life raft and anchor the boat failed.
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