Fishermen rescued after boat capsizes in ocean

DEL NORTE COUNTY, Calif. (KIEM)-Two fisherman can thank Del Norte County deputies for saving their lives after their boat capsized about 80-yards off Enderts Beach in Del Norte County Thursday afternoon.

Patrol Deputy Cameron Stewart – who was on patrol with Deputy Kenny Fahndrich- who is in currently in field training – knows the dangers of the ocean’s cold temperatures.

With water temps estimated at about 50 degrees – they jumped into action – without hesitation – waiting for back-up could have cost lives. 

Stewart says, the fishermen used air pockets while under the boat to get oxygen. 

The first fisherman was rescued by the deputies – the second was a bit more difficult to get to.

A National Coast Guard helicopter and additional deputies arrived – and helped rescue the second trapped fisherman.

Stewart says, they were just doing their job.

“People’s lives are on the line we were notified there was still two people underneath of the capsized boat,” he said. “You got to be careful out there, the waves they sneak up on you, if there is any small craft advisory for high swells, pick something else to do for the day.”

Stewart says – the first fisherman is expected to be OK – the second fisherman was flown to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia, his condition is unknown at this time.