Six rescued from sinking boat out of Huntington

Six people were saved during a dramatic boat rescue Sunday afternoon when a 31-foot vessel sheared its hull along a reef off Crystal Cove State Beach and nearly sank.

Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol officials said the 31-foot Anna Jane out of Huntington Harbor severely damaged its hull about 5:30 p.m. Sunday when it ran over the Split Rock Reef.

Six people, including a child, were aboard when it crashed and were not wearing life jackets, said Harbor Patrol Deputy Jim Slikker.

The operator suffered cuts to his head, a woman was cut on the chin and a third person was bruised during the crash, said Sgt. David Ginther.

Lifeguards on shore swam out to assist while two Harbor Patrol boats rushed to keep the rapidly sinking boat above water.

The boat was already submerged about three and a half feet when the two Harbor Patrol fireboats arrived and began pumping out water, Slikker said.

Harbor Patrol officials towed the Anna Jane to a local shipyard, where workers there said the boat was totaled, officials said. Authorities are still investigating the crash.

— Joseph Serna