Rescued Boater, 23, in Critical Condition

A 23-year-old man, one of two people rescued off the San Diego coast after their boat sank, remained in critical condition Monday at the UC San Diego Medical Center, officials said.

Anthony Carter was suffering from hypothermia and other unspecified injuries, a nursing supervisor said.

His fishing companion, Jesus Moran, 27, of San Diego, was treated for minor injuries at the Coast Guard Air Station and released.

The two men were fishing Sunday when their 18-foot boat began to break up and sink in waters 5 miles south of Point Loma, Coast Guard Lt. Gilbert Flores said.

They had been in the water for several hours when the crew of a passing sailboat, the Immigrant’s Song, sighted them bobbing in the water.

“The men were very lucky to be found because we didn’t know they were in trouble,” Flores said. “So, nobody was looking for them.”

Their boat was not equipped with a radio, and the Coast Guard wasn’t called for help until the two were sighted.

Carter was pulled from the water by the crew of a rescue helicopter.

“When we hoisted him out, we found that a single strap of the life vest was attached to his belt, keeping him afloat,” said Flores.

Carter was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation en route to the hospital.

A Coast Guard boat then picked up Moran, who had been pulled aboard the Immigrant’s Song.

Coast Guard marine safety investigators were told that the men’s fishing boat may have developed some type of mechanical problem and quickly sank. The two donned life jackets and jumped into the water before the vessel went under, Flores said.