Coast Guard Swimmer Tears Open Sailboat Roof To Free Man Trapped In Flooded Cabin

A U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer freed a man trapped inside a partially submerged sailboat near Coronado on October 11 after waves washed over the vessel and the man struggled to breathe.

The Coast Guard received a transferred 911 call at about 4 a.m. from the man, whose sailboat had run aground and was taking on water. A Station San Diego boat crew located the vessel but could not reach it because of shallow water and hazardous conditions.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Ventura lowered Aviation Survival Technician Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike Antoon to the boat. He found the man trapped inside the cabin, provided him with a snorkel, then tore open part of the cabin roof to get him out.

The man was hoisted into the helicopter and flown to Coast Guard Sector San Diego, where he was transferred to emergency medical personnel at approximately 7:25 a.m.