Boaters Rescued By Coast Guard Off Coronado

CORONADO, Calif. -- Two boaters rescued off Coronado by the U.S. Coast Guard were recovering Monday from mild hypothermia, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

A man and a woman stranded on a 19-foot pleasure boat with no power, anchor or propulsion were rescued about 50 feet from shore by helicopter Sunday evening, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The couple's boat had drifted dangerously close to some rocks, Coast Guard officials said.

A friend of the couple called authorities at 6:30 p.m. after receiving a telephone call from them. Cell phone communication was later lost, and the couple was eventually located by searchers using an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a 41-foot rescue boat, according to the Coast Guard.

"The vessel lost power and the mariners were unable to use their VHF marine radio to call for help," Coast Guard Capt. Tom Farris said. "It is important to recognize that cell phone signals offshore are sporadic and can be lost as few as five miles out."

Even though they remained on board their stricken vessel, both the man and woman suffered from mild hypothermia, although they did not require hospitalization, according to the Coast Guard.

The sea surface temperature was 64 degrees and the air temperature was 66 along the coast as of 7 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The wind was blowing at 10 mph.