High Waves Curtail Search for Lancaster Man

Rough seas cut short a search Tuesday by Oxnard Fire Department rescue swimmers for a Lancaster man believed to have drowned after a boat he was riding in capsized near Oxnard Shores.

Peggy Dykes of Oxnard called 911 at 9:18 a.m. Tuesday to report something floating off Oxnard State Beach in front of the Mandalay Beach Resort. Authorities believed it was the body of 27-year-old Rick Moulb, said Oxnard Fire Capt. Kevin Schroepfer.

On Monday, Moulb and his friend, 40-year-old Lane Mitchell of Lancaster, were riding in Mitchell’s powerboat when it capsized in wind-driven surf south of the beach at 5th Street.

Mitchell was pronounced dead Monday afternoon after he was pulled from the water and airlifted to Ventura County Medical Center.

But a land, sea and air search by several law enforcement and emergency agencies that lasted well into the night couldn’t find Moulb.

Witnesses said neither man was wearing a life jacket when the boat capsized.

On Tuesday, the Oxnard Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Department, the Coast Guard and the Channel Islands Harbor Patrol resumed the search.

Oxnard Fire Department rescue swimmers Alan Braff and Doug Campbell boarded one of the department’s Kawasaki personal watercraft for a sea search.

After 20 minutes of being battered by 8-foot, wind-driven waves, Campbell said, they had to bring the craft back to shore for their own safety.

“It’s pretty rough out there,” said a winded Campbell. “By the time you get through one wave, another hits you.”

Fellow rescue swimmer Jeff Dye said strong rip currents and no lifeguards make Oxnard State Beach treacherous even for accomplished swimmers.

“If they get into trouble, they can get caught underwater and stay there for a few days,” Dye said.

As for the likelihood of Moulb surviving such conditions without protection, Dye said, “You never want to rule anything out. But at this time it doesn’t look good.”

The search was called off at 11 a.m.