San Diego

A fisherman who was swept off his boat by a large wave over the weekend is now presumed dead, authorities said Tuesday.

Paul Hawkins, 70, of San Diego, was reported by his son to have been swept overboard, said Coast Guard Lt. John Sullivan. The boat had just anchored about 120 miles off the coast of San Diego at Tanner Bank and were preparing to fish.

“His son and another fisherman tried to pull him back into the boat, but he was too heavy with his clothes and the side of the boat was high,” Sullivan said. “They lost him before they could bring him back on board.”

Sullivan said weather authorities reported waves of 3 to 5 feet, with swells of 6 to 9 feet. Sullivan described Hawkins as “very experienced” and said the son did all he could do to save his father.

“The gentleman did about everything he could have. He did the right thing in getting a line to him. He was in the process of trying to unbolt the ladder and lower it over the side when his father was lost,” Sullivan said.