Man missing, another rescued after boat founders off Ocean Beach
The boat recovered from a surf rescue off Ocean Beach Saturday was noticeably deflated. Photo: Tom Prete / Ocean Beach Bulletin
UPDATE 6:15 p.m. April 10, 2011: Both the Associated Press and local Bay City News news services report that shortly after midnight Sunday morning the Coast Guard called off the search for the man missing from the inflatable boat.
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UPDATE 10:03 p.m. April 9, 2011: KTVU-TV reports that as of 9:30 p.m., the Coast Guard was still searching for the man missing from the inflatable boat.
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The Coast Guard and San Francisco Fire Department responded to Ocean Beach Saturday afternoon on reports of boaters in distress in heavy surf and high winds, rescuing one man.
Another man was still missing as of about 5:15 p.m. Saturday. The Coast Guard was continuing its search for the man, but the Fire Department had ordered its personnel back into regular service. National Park Service rangers and Park Police also took part in the emergency response.
Kitesurfer Paolo Frediani said he and his friend Jeff Spiller were in the water off Ocean Beach when they noticed a Coast Guard helicopter in the area. At first he thought it was probably a false alarm, Frediani said, but then he and Spiller spotted an inflatable motorboat and some debris in the water and made their way toward it.
When they reached the boat, Frediani said, a man inside waved them off and told them to go after his fellow boater, who was in the water. Rescuers found the man in the water clinging to a floatation ring, but when they went for the man in the boat, he was missing.
Kitesurfer Paulo Frediani said he and his friend Jeff Spiller found two men who were in a boat that collapsed off Ocean Beach Saturday. Photo: Tom Prete / Ocean Beach Bulletin
Ocean Beach Bulletin contributor Andy Wernette reported that Fire Department personnel said they saw a wave hit the inflatable boat and wash the occupants overboard.
Authorities recovered the boat near Lawton Street.
The two men reportedly were in a larger sailboat that foundered off Ocean Beach at about 2:30 p.m., then got into the inflatable boat. That boat partly collapsed. The Park Service brought the boat off the beach in a pickup truck, and it was noticeably sagging.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the man in the boat was wearing a life jacket. The Fire Department found a life jacket nearby.
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9 Comments
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- One man rescued, another presumed dead after boat sinks off Ocean Beach | Richmond District Blog of San Francisco (richmondsfblog.com)
- Man’s body found in ocean at Fort Funston | The Ocean Beach Bulletin
Susan,
It sounds like we will be receiving the award. Jeff Spiller is in the process of getting his captain’s license and comes from a family with generations of sailors, so there is a great appreciation for the award. I feel this is 100% a result of your comment. Once again a stranger helping a stranger, it is contagious.
THANK YOU,
Paolo
Lesley,
I am sorry for your loss, but glad David survived. The coast guard has plucked me from the frigid waters before and know what a great feeling / relief that is.
Paolo
I am so proud of my son Paolo and his friend in the water that day. Surprised, no, because that is the kind of person that he is. I am also thankful for the young man that was saved. He was also fortunate to have a good friend that put his safety before his own.
If not for the actions of these two kite surfers there would have been two deaths. The man in the inflatable boat most likely knew he was in danger, but he waved off help to save his friend. A tragedy happened, yet it shows that there are people willing to risk their lives to help others.
Hi – the kitesurfers should be nomintaed for a US Sailing rescue award…. if anyone knows them, please fill out the nomination here: http://offshore.ussailing.org/SAS/Hanson_Rescue_Award.htm
Proud to say Paolo Frediani is my grandson and he is a fine young man and I love him.
Dear Jeanne,
Thank your grandson for us as well!! My name is Lesley Good and I was and still am very good friends with the man your grandson Paolo Rescued that day David. WE are very grateful It’s a sad day when someone you knows dies. Roger the other man is and will be forever missed by many. HE helped a lot of people on a daily basic. He would have been very proud of Paolo. Thank you again and GOD BLESS your family.
Lesley Good
415 307-1184