Overview
- Multiple 911 calls around 11:45 a.m. Saturday reported an overturned vessel with several people in the water near 701 West Cliff Drive.
- Santa Cruz Fire marine rescue swimmers and city lifeguards reached the victims on rescue boards and transferred them to Harbor Patrol and auxiliary boats.
- Several occupants were not wearing life jackets, and all six were taken to Santa Cruz Harbor for care before transport to a local hospital.
- Responders searched for a possible seventh person using State Parks watercraft and police drones, later confirming no one else was missing.
- Santa Cruz police, the U.S. Coast Guard and California Fish and Wildlife assisted, and the fire department credited swift actions by responders and Good Samaritans with preventing a potentially fatal outcome.