Lifeguard Helps Beached Boat Get Back to Sea

A beached boat found its way back to sea last week with the help of a Seal Beach lifeguard.

On Sept. 26, the city’s Marine Safety department received a report of a disabled vessel in Surfside, according to Marine Safety Chief Joe Bailey.

“When Marine Safety Officer Nick Bolin responded, the vessel was on the beach,” Bailey said in a written statement. "Fortunately all passengers were accounted for and uninjured.” 

Bolin swam a rope to a tow vessel, and they were able to drag the boat off the beach and back into the sea.

Bailey said that boats beach themselves about once a month.

“Well, we try to catch ‘em before they get onto the beach,“ Bailey said in a Monday interview.

On the same day, Bailey said, Orange County Environmental Health issued a high bacteria warning for 150 feet east and west of the pier and 250 feet east and west of 14th Street.

“This was only a warning for slightly elevated bacteria counts, not a closure,” Bailey added. 

Also, according to Bailey, normally the number of Seal Beach lifeguards working during the autumn season would be at "minimum staffing" – about three to four guards each day – but because the high temperature brings in more people, they'ved had to increase it eight a day or less.

Here’s the latest rescue data from Sept. 21 to Sept. 27, according to Bailey.

Rescues

7

Medical aids

6

Major medical aid

1

Stingray injuries

4

Boat rescues

3