Crime & Safety
2 Dead, 5 Missing After 2 Boats Capsize Off Sonoma Coast
A boat capsized Monday morning near Salmon Creek after six people went missing late Saturday when their boat overturned off Bodega Bay.
SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Coast Guard and several other agencies responded Monday morning to the second fatal boat incident near Bodega Bay since Saturday.
Authorities received a call at 7:10 a.m. Monday from a hiker about a capsized boat at Mussel Point, south of Salmon Creek. Two boaters were missing. First responders found one man around 7:40 a.m. Monday and started life-saving efforts, but he did not survive, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Rob Dillion said.
"We will release his ID when it is available," Dillion said late Monday afternoon. "We’re continuing to search for the other missing person."
The sheriff's Marine Unit was already in the area Monday, preparing to continue its search for four of six boaters who went missing late Saturday night when their boat capsized. Sonoma County Fire District, the U.S. Coast Guard, Goldridge Fire District, and California State Parks were already on the scene, too, Dillion said.
Sheriff's Office Identifies 17-Year-Old Boater Found Dead
The sheriff's office first responded around 10:15 p.m. Saturday to a report of three adults and three juveniles crabbing on a recreational boat off the coast of Bodega who did not return on time.
The party aboard the 21-foot white Bayliner boat was last heard from around 3 p.m. Saturday. A cell phone ping suggested the boat was last in the area of Carmet Beach, Dillion said.
The sheriff's office responded Saturday night with its Marine Unit, resident Coast deputies, the Henry One helicopter crew, a drone team and a search-and-rescue team. Emergency personnel with Sonoma County Fire, the U.S. Coast Guard and California State Parks also responded, along with additional helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The U.S. Air Force joined the search a short time later.
During the search, debris was found along the coast, and one person was found alive and in need of medical treatment.
A second person was found and pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified Monday as Johnny Phommathep II, 17, of Corning — about 200 miles northeast of Bodega Bay.
"Our sincerest condolences to his family," Dillion said.
The sheriff's Marine Unit is investigating both incidents.
The Coast Guard suspended its search late Sunday for the four missing boaters.
"The decision to suspend a search is always difficult to make and never done lightly," said U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael L. Zapawa, search and rescue coordinator, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing boaters during this incredibly difficult time."
Monday, the Coast Guard was back in Sonoma County to help with the second search.
"The ocean conditions are dangerous right now, with large swells and high winds in the afternoon and evening," the Coast Guard said. "We advise everyone to use caution and understand the forecasted conditions. Boating safety resources can be found on the California Division of Boating and Waterways website."
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