Coast Guard Rescues 16 From Sinking Boat

Lifeguards and a Coast Guard boat rescued 16 people from a 40-foot power boat that sank Thursday night about nine miles south of San Pedro, authorities said.

Coast Guard Petty Officer James Roche said the first alarm from the boat came in the form of a 911 call from a cellular phone on board the stricken vessel. He said two helicopters and at least four boats in the area responded to the call that the pleasure craft was sinking.

Roche said the last of the passengers was taken off the craft a few seconds before it slipped under the waves. What caused the boat to sink was not immediately clear.

Those aboard were being taken to a marina in Long Beach. Roche said none appeared to be seriously injured. The identities of those rescued and the identity of the boat owner were not immediately available.