Fishermen Rescue Overboard Crew Member as 19 Runners Hospitalized

Three Fishermen Rescue Overboard Cruise Ship Crew Member 20 Miles Off Newport Beach

Three recreational fishermen rescued a crew member from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Friday after spotting the mariner floating on his back in open waters roughly 20 miles off the coast of Newport Beach, according to ABC7 News.

The Royal Caribbean vessel had departed the Port of San Pedro on Friday bound for Ensenada when the worker went overboard in waters near Catalina Island. According to the 3 fishermen who located him, the man was conscious and breathing—though visibly depleted of energy—when they pulled him aboard their boat.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a good Samaritan vessel notified watchstanders on Friday after recovering a conscious person from the ocean approximately 9 nautical miles northeast of Avalon Harbor. Newport Beach lifeguards met the fishing vessel during the return transit and brought the crew member ashore for transport to a local hospital. Royal Caribbean confirmed the individual is a member of its shipboard crew and stated that the company is providing support and assistance to the employee.

At Least 19 Runners Hospitalized Following Santa Barbara Half Marathon

Further up the Southern California coast on Sunday, at least 19 endurance runners were hospitalized after experiencing similar medical symptoms during the Santa Barbara Half Marathon, ABC7 News reported.

More than 7,500 runners participated in Sunday's coastal race, organized by Run Local. According to statements from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and the Santa Barbara Police Department, at least 19 participants arrived by ambulance, private vehicle, or walk-in admission at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital seeking emergency evaluation after the race concluded. Hospital physicians and race organizers noted that elevated course temperatures and heat-related exhaustion are being examined as primary contributing factors.

Race organizers maintained hydration stations spaced every 1.5 to 2.5 miles along the course, stocking each stop with water, Voli hydration sunset strawberry lemonade electrolytes, and energy gels alongside finish-line snacks. Participants Claire Hindman, her fiance Christian Noyola, and runner Jessica Metoyer—whose husband Eric Metoyer heard paramedic calls near the finish chute—described unseasonably warm conditions along the route and conservative pacing at the aid tables. Anyone with additional information regarding post-race symptoms has been asked by Santa Barbara police to contact Sgt. Andre Miller at 805-897-2330.