Shipwreck Log

On the morning of July 16, the 48 foot long fishing vessel Navigator caught fire in the Monterey Bay off Pleasure Point near Capitola Beach, California. The Navigator had dropped anchor in the early morning and the 2 crew on board went asleep. The plan was to awake in the morning and fish for squid. Instead the crew woke up to a cabin filled with smoke. The vessel’s generator had malfunctioned starting a fire.

A nearby vessel alerted authorities of the vessel fire. The harbor patrol was first to arrive to assist in the fire fighting effort with the United States Coast Guard and the Monterey Fire Department assisting. Unfortunately, the fire quickly grew making it impossible to extinguish with the equipment on hand. The Navigator was evacuated and later taken under tow headed for Monterey. Before the fishing vessel reached the harbor, the vessel sank. Authorities are monitoring the area, but no oil pollution has been found at the site.

Reports state one of the harbor patrol staff had been injured from the incident. The person had suffered smoke exposure and taken to hospital for treatment.  Reports state the vessel will not be recovered as it is a total loss. One crew member stated the vessel may be rebuilt.