Santa Cruz, Calif. – A 39-year-old man was rescued and hospitalized on March 27 after his boat capsized near the Santa Cruz Harbor, highlighting the dangers posed by powerful ocean swells along the California coast.
The incident occurred amid a hazardous swell, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a beach hazard statement for northern Monterey Bay. The advisory warned boaters and swimmers of treacherous conditions, with nearby buoys recording a northwest swell of 15 feet at 15 seconds—enough to make many surf breaks in the region unrideable.
Despite regular dredging, sand accumulation at the harbor entrance creates challenging conditions for vessels, particularly during winter swells. The already precarious passage turned dangerous Thursday evening. At approximately 5 p.m., local firefighters and lifeguards responded to reports of a capsized boat at the harbor entrance. According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, first responders found the overturned 20-foot Bayliner washed ashore at Twin Lakes State Beach and rescued the man on board.
“The call was for a capsized vessel near the harbor mouth,” said State Parks Public Safety Superintendent Capt. Gabe McKenna. “We had a very large northwest swell with a low tide during that time, and the transit out of the harbor and into the ocean was very dangerous.”
Footage of the incident, which occurred as the boat attempted to re-enter the harbor, was shared on the Instagram account The Qualified Captain, known for documenting maritime mishaps. The account alleged that a dog was on board and did not survive, though first responders told The Sentinel they found no evidence of a canine on the beach.
According to reports, the vessel lingered about 600 feet from the harbor entrance before making an attempt to return amid a large set of waves. The boat ultimately flipped, but the man managed to swim to shore. He was transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation, while the vessel was recovered and taken to the harbor.
Authorities continue to urge caution for boaters navigating the harbor entrance during high-swell conditions.