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The Coast Guard rescued two sailors from the sailing vessel LULA after it ran aground near Santa Cruz Island on Thanksgiving.

At 10 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach Command Center received notice that a Digital Selective Calling distress signal had been activated in the vicinity of Santa Cruz. After radio calls on VHF Channel 16, watchstanders determined the signal came from the LULA, which was aground with two people aboard.

The two boaters had abandoned the vessel while on the rocks and left it adrift. Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach launched a helicopter from Forward Operating Base Point Mugu and a 45-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands.

Once on scene, the crews determined unsafe conditions on the rocks made a helicopter rescue the best option. The two boaters were safely hoisted aboard the helicopter and transported to Point Mugu.