11 Rescued After 55-foot Boat Bumps Balboa Pier

Byline: Associated Press

NEWPORT BEACH (AP) — Lifeguards rescued 11 people who had to abandon a 55-foot motoryacht after it drifted into the Balboa Pier and “bumped” its pilings.

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy William Nelson said no one was injured in the incident, which occurred at around 8:15 p.m. Sept. 1.

Nelson said someone aboard the 55-foot yacht reported to authorities that the boat had lost power and was drifting toward shore. He said heavy fog hampered rescuers’ search for the boat, and they didn’t get a clear view of it until it came close to the pier.

He said the boat couldn’t set anchor without power, and it eventually “rubbed into” the pier.

Authorities evacuated the pier and lifeguards swam with the passengers to shore.

Engineers inspected the pier for damage and determined it was structurally sound. The pier reopened in the morning on Sept. 2, in time for the busy Labor Day holiday.

— Associated Press and The Log staff reports