Looks like it was a busy weekend for rescues in California…

August 3, 2008

Coast Guard rescues 28 people from dive boat

LOS ANGELES – The Coast Guard says 28 passengers have been rescued after a dive boat lost its rudder and began taking on water near San Nicolas Island.

The 70-foot ship Vision, based in Oxnard, called for help Sunday morning. The captain reported the vessel had lost its steering and sprung a leak just north of the island, which is about 70 miles west of Los Angeles.

The Coast Guard cutter Blackfin reached the stricken ship and ferried passengers back to land. No injuries were reported.

Authorities say the Vision’s 7-member crew was able to fix the leak and motor the boat back to shore with its steering partially disabled.

The original article is here.

Woman Hospitalized After Scuba Diving

Lifeguard authorities said a 31-year-old woman was hospitalized Sunday after coming to the surface too quickly while scuba diving off Mission Beach.

The woman was diving from a commercial dive boat near the Ruby E. wreck around 11 a.m. when she surfaced too quickly and began suffering from breathing problems, Lt. Greg Buchanan said.

The diving boat returned her to shore at lifeguard headquarters on Mission Bay, where she was transferred to an ambulance, Buchanan said.

Scuba divers normally come to the surface slowly to avoid the bends, or an air embolism.

The original article is here.