Larkspur Man Dies After Boat Capsizes Near San Quentin

A man who died after the motorboat he was in capsized and sank in the Bay has been identified by the Marin County coroner's office as James Laurel, 44, of Larkspur.

Laurel and a woman who was also on the boat were rescued from the shoreline near San Quentin State Prison early this morning.

Both were taken to Marin General Hospital where the man was pronounced dead. The woman, also a Larkspur resident, was treated and released, Marin County sheriff's Lt. Barry Heying said.

The pair left a dock on the Corte Madera Creek in the 14-foot motorboat around 10 p.m., Heying said. The boat developed engine trouble in the Bay, Heying said. The man, who was not wearing a life vest, fell overboard while trying to restart the engine, Heying said.

When the man tried to get back in the vessel, it capsized, Heying said. The man and the woman, who was wearing a life vest, were in the water for an unknown amount of time before they made it to the shore near San Quentin State Prison.

San Quentin Corrections Officer W. Buffington, who was on duty in Tower 3, heard the couple calling for help and saw two people in the water, prison Lt. Sam Robinson said. Buffington sounded the prison's emergency alarm, and the prison's fire department responded. The department is comprised of inmates and prison staff, Robinson said.

Inmates helped pull the couple to shore and the San Rafael Fire Department tended to the man, who was unresponsive, Robinson said.

Heying said the man and the woman were initially conscious but the man collapsed and never regained consciousness.

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for the capsized boat, Heying said.

— Bay City News Service