Rescue crews are actively searching for two fishermen who are missing after their boat was discovered capsized off the coast of Palos Verdes Estates. The Los Angeles County Fire Department reported the boat was found wrecked against the rocks near the 1800 block of Paseo Del Mar, triggering extensive search operations since early Tuesday morning.
According to authorities, the two men, both described as being around 50 years old, launched their boat from Cabrillo Beach on Monday afternoon. They were scheduled to return by midnight but were reported missing when they failed to meet their friend at the boat ramp. The friend contacted local authorities upon realizing they had not returned.
The search began shortly after 5:00 AM on Tuesday when the boat was located. "We have nobody in the area of the debris field, so we have a number of resources, both land-based, out on the water in vessels, and also some drones as well to search the coastline," said Pono Barnes, Captain of the LACoFD. Rescue teams employed helicopters, drones, and rescue boats to scour the coastline, but challenging conditions hampered their efforts.
Jake Miller, LACoFD Ocean Lifeguard Specialist, explained, "We pretty much saturated everything from the cliff all the way out to the ocean as best we could with nothing found." The search was complicated by thick fog and high surf, with waves ranging from 6 to 10 feet reported on-site, and advisories warning of even larger waves hitting the area.
Eyewitness accounts from those walking along the beach provided chilling details about the wreckage. Finley Murphy, one of the beachcombers, noted, "The boat was completely overturned. There were holes in the hull and stuff scattered across the beach, including life jackets and coolers." Another beachgoer, Olivia Mozian, added, "It’s awful. Puts a damper on the holidays especially for the families involved."
The search operations faced additional hurdles as high tide and coastal conditions continued to deteriorate. The onset of thick fog reduced visibility, meaning not all available resources could be employed simultaneously. The Coast Guard managed to deploy aircraft later on Tuesday, amplifying the search effort.
Officials have made the public aware of the danger posed by outgoing conditions as they continue to search for the missing men. Due to the current hazardous surf conditions, authorities have repeatedly communicated to locals and visitors alike to stay out of the water until the situation normalizes. A high surf advisory was issued by the National Weather Service, stating large breaking waves of 8 to 13 feet have been reported and could create dangerous rip currents.
Residents and officials express deep concern as the search continues through the holiday period. Acknowledging the troubling nature of these circumstances surrounding the festive season, Miller stated, "You never want to see anyone go missing when they’re supposed to be with their families, but that's what we're here to do—to find them." The emotional strain on the families of the two missing men is palpable, especially as search efforts bring little to no immediate resolution.
The search operation remains active, with rescue officials pledging to continue their efforts to locate the missing fishermen. Authorities will keep scanning the waters by air and deploy ground crews as conditions permit. The community is left holding hope for the return of the two men, underscoring the stark realities of nature and the importance of safety precautions at sea.
