San Jose Man Remains Missing At Sea; Cal Fire Issues Urgent Plea

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit asked the public to exercise caution at the shoreline as officials investigated the possibility of three drownings within 60 miles of each other four days apart.

The plea came as officials continued to search for a San Jose man, 26, reported missing Sunday after he was swept to sea near Davenport Beach. Despite a multi-agency effort, including 19 rescue swimmers, the man remained missing Wednesday.

"Please stay off the rocks and be aware of powerful rip currents at all times," Cal Fire said.

Officials shared their plea alongside a video of a powerful wave crashing on the rocks at Panther State Beach, where the body of Conrad Miltko, 30, of Chicago was found Tuesday evening after he was swept to sea while standing on the rocks.

Hours after that post was shared, Cal Fire announced it was searching for a possible missing kayaker near Half Moon Bay after an empty kayak with a paddle and freshly caught fish washed ashore at Mavericks Beach, a challenging, renowned surfing spot known for its powerful waves.

The San Jose man and missing kayaker have not been identified.

It's unusual to hear of so many potential drownings within that time frame, but weather officials reported that waves and swells remained typical, said Jeff Lorber, a National Weather Service Bay Area meteorologist.

When it comes to standing on rocks, that behavior is "pretty much always a dangerous thing," regardless of whether any hazards or advisories have been issued, he said.

"Sometimes it's just people not being cautions, turning their backs to the ocean [or] standing on rocks or piers that are prone to waves crashing," Lorber said.

California's high waves, cold waters and sudden drop-offs are a few of the reasons that make some beaches a hazard to people along the shoreline, according to California State Parks. Limited lifeguards are available, and rip currents, which sweep people away from the shore, and unpredictable and unusually tall "sleeper waves" pose a threat to unsuspecting beachgoers.

"Not all beaches along the California coastline are recommended for swimming or wading," state parks said on its website. "The very things that make these areas such spectacular places to look at and enjoy can be lethal to those caught unaware along the shoreline."

8 Ocean Safety Tips

Here are some ocean safety tips, courtesy of California State Parks.

• Grab a lifeguard, if possible, or call 911 if you see someone who needs help.
• Try to stay calm and keep eyes on the person in trouble. Be prepared to clearly articulate your location, and stay on the phone with the dispatcher if calling 911.
• Throw a floating object to a person caught in a rip current, and encourage them to swim horizontally along the shoreline, not toward it. Direct them to swim toward shore when they are out of the current.
• Leave rescues to professionally trained rescuers.
• Never swim alone or fight the current.
• Float or calmly tread water if you can't escape the current.
• Wave your arms and yell for help if you can't reach shore.
• If in doubt, don't go out. Be cautious, especially if no lifeguards are at the beach.

"Remember," state parks said. "Many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current."