2 Rescued at Sea; Search for 3rd Continues

Two men whose small fishing boat sank in the ocean off Santa Catalina Island were plucked from the waters by a Coast Guard helicopter Friday as a search continued for a third missing crewman, authorities said.

Richard Love and Brian Daly, clad in rubber suits, were lifted out of the water by the helicopter and treated by naval paramedics on San Nicholas Island, Coast Guard Petty Officer Charles Embleton said. He said they are in good condition.

Still missing was crew member Joe Douglas, Embleton said.

The three men were reported missing Thursday evening when the Coast Guard picked up their Mayday call between San Nicholas and Santa Cruz islands, about 85 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Embleton said. The distress call indicated that the Bounty, a 32-foot sea urchin fishing boat, was taking on water.

Shortly before noon Friday, a helicopter searching for the boat’s crew spotted Love and Daly in the waters about seven miles southwest of San Nicholas Island. Searchers reported they could see debris, believed to be from the sunken boat, but there was no sign of Douglas.