Huntington Beach : Saudi Tourists’ Fishing Trip Goes Up in Smoke

It was supposed to be a day of albacore fishing for Sultan al Sudairy and 12 family members visiting from Saudi Arabia. But their 60-foot charter fishing boat developed engine trouble on the way back to Newport Beach and turned an interesting day into an adventure.

Lifeguard Reed Tomlinson reported a flash and a cloud of black smoke about three miles off Huntington State Beach at 3:15 p.m. and a lifeguard boat was sent out to investigate.

Yvonne Bembaron, a deckhand aboard the fishing boat, said that after thick smoke filled the cabin, the Saudis were transferred to the lifeguard vessel and taken to the Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol office in Newport Beach.

Beachgoers watched the boat as it drifted southward until the smoke abated enough for the charter firm, Avalon Pacific, to tow it back to the dock. Bembaron said there was no explosion and no physical damage except to the engines. She was unsure of the cost of repairs.