On the morning of February 7th, 2026 at 11:45 a.m., reports came in for a “Confirmed Water Rescue” at 701 West Cliff Drive. Several accounts stated that a boat had capsized in the heavy surf and at least 4-6 victims were in the water. Santa Cruz units E-61,E-63, E-64, T-61, B-61, and Lifeguards L-168, L-268, L-368,L-568 arrived at the scene and made entry into the ocean on rescue boards toward the floating victims. Additional resources requested to the scene were State Parks, Harbor Patrol, Santa Cruz Police Dept., Coast Guard, Fish and Wildlife, Central Fire District, American Medical Response and Vessel Assist. Although several victims were without life jackets, all 6 were rescued onto the awaiting Harbor Patrol and Auxiliary boats. The victims were then rushed to the Harbor where awaiting Central Fire crews and AMR units tended to the victims, eventually transporting all 6 to a local hospital.
Resources on scene continued to search for a potential 7th victim, using State Parks watercraft and drones from Santa Cruz PD, to eventually learn there was no 7th victim. Due to the rapid deployment of Santa Cruz Fire Marine Rescue Swimmers, City Lifeguards, State Parks, and several Good Samaritan citizens on surfboards, all 6 victims were successfully rescued from this potentially tragic incident.
Santa Cruz City Fire Department and allied agencies want to remind all members of the public, when operating watercraft, to obey all boating regulations and navigational standards for the State of California, and reconsider going out on extremely heavy surf days.
