Unified Command Responds to Grounded Fishing Vessel at Point Reyes

A unified command has been established to respond to the fishing vessel Lake Bay, which ran aground on 21 Aug 2026 in Point Reyes National Seashore, California. The 58-foot vessel entered the surf zone near Ten Mile Beach with five people aboard, prompting a search and rescue response from the U.S. Coast Guard. The response effort combines the U.S. Coast Guard and National Park Service, with support and technical specialists from Marin County Fire, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response. Coast Guard crews from Station Bodega Bay, Station Golden Gate and Air Station San Francisco took part in the operation, including an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat. No injuries, active fuel leaks, or wildlife impacts have been reported. North Beach has been temporarily closed to the public to allow responders to work safely. The Lake Bay has a maximum fuel capacity of 2,800 gallons and is reported to be carrying approximately 1,000 gallons of diesel; the unified command is coordinating with the responsible party and a contracted salvage company to remove the fuel from the vessel. Lt. Cmdr. Carey Lewis, the Coast Guard incident commander, said responders are prioritizing the safety of first responders and the public while working to stabilize the incident and limit environmental impacts. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation.