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Press Release | July 5, 2025

Coast Guard, partner agencies assist four boaters near Cayucos, Calif.

U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District Public Affairs: 206-815-6689

MORRO BAY, Calif. — Coast Guard Station Morro Bay crew members rescued four boaters after their vessel caught fire while in tow approximately five miles off Cayucos, Saturday.

At 9:30 a.m., Coast Guard watchstanders received a report of a disabled 24-foot motorboat 200 yards off Whale Rock in Cambria. A 47-foot response boat crew was launched to help tow the vessel.

Around noon, an engine fire erupted as the vessel was being towed by the 47-foot response boat.  The Coast Guard 47-foot response boat released the tow and had the boaters enter the water with their life jackets. The Coast Guard crew pulled the boaters out of the water and administered first aid. The motorboat sank after the fire was extinguished by Morro Bay Harbor Patrol.

All boaters were taken to Coast Guard Station Morro Bay, where they were evaluated by Morro Bay Harbor Patrol and Morro Bay Fire Department with minor injuries.  One boater was taken to a San Luis Obispo hospital for minor burns.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

To contact U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District Public Affairs, call (206)-815-6689.  

Coast Guard Vessel Fire Morro Bay Cambria

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