Boat

The family of a Huntington Beach man who died in a boating crash has filed a claim against the city, claiming negligence by officials and asking for more than $5 million. Shawn Wilson, 35, died June 27 after crashing into the Gilbert Drive Bridge over Shelter Channel in Huntington Harbor. Wilson was riding on his 12-foot, inflatable Zodiac boat with Caleb Steele, 30, and James Geekie during high tide at 1 a.m. Steele also died. Wilson’s wife, Deanna Wilson, filed a claim in September, and his toddler and newborn filed claims with the city Friday citing negligence for his death because the bridge’s I beam was not properly illuminated, said the family’s attorney, Sarah Serpa.

Six people were saved during a dramatic boat rescue Sunday afternoon when a 31-foot vessel sheared its hull along a reef off Crystal Cove State Beach and nearly sank. Orange County Sheriff?s Harbor Patrol officials said the 31-foot Anna Jane out of Huntington Harbor severely damaged its hull about 5:30 p.m. Sunday when it ran over the Split Rock Reef. Six people, including a child, were aboard when it crashed and were not wearing life jackets, said Harbor Patrol Deputy Jim Slikker.

An 11-year-old girl was killed Tuesday after a lifeguard boat ran over her during a routine Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguards training exercise. Authorities originally said Allyssa Squirrell of Laguna Hills was slashed by the boat?s propeller, but later backed away from the statement, saying further investigation was necessary. The girl was one of 20 to 25 11- and 12-year-olds practicing an exercise called a ?speed drop,? in which the junior guards jump off a moving boat into the water to practice reaching swimmers in distress quickly.

Two Huntington Beach residents were killed and another was seriously injured when the boat they were in crashed into the Gilbert Drive Bridge over Shelter Channel in Huntington Harbour early Saturday morning. Caleb Steele, who celebrated his 30th birthday June 3, and Shawn Wilson, 35, were out boating with James Geekie, 37, during high tide at 1 a.m. when the boat was unable to clear the bridge, said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Wilson, the driver and registered owner of the 12-foot, inflatable Zodiac boat, was traveling up to 20 mph in the 5-mph zone, he said.

A Huntington Beach man accused of stealing one boat in San Diego and nabbing another in Oceanside was arrested by Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol last week after his 34-foot powerboat had some trouble in Newport Harbor. Jeffrey C. Edens, 37, was arrested Oct. 28 on suspicion of possession of stolen property and taken to Orange County Jail, authorities said. Harbor Patrol deputies were initially just trying to help out with a disabled boat, Sgt. Bill Snaith said.

The Huntington Beach Philharmonic’s Cruise of Lights Boat Tour begins tonight, a Huntington Harbour Christmas tradition for 45 years. What many of the spectating sailors don’t know though, is that the cost of their tour of the harbor’s lights goes to local school music programs. The event raises about $25,000 each year, which is distributed to music departments across the county by the Orange County Philharmonic, the parent organization of the Huntington Beach chapter.

As the sun rose, Lindsey Eastman paddled through the Pacific Ocean, miles out to sea, salty water lapping in her face. For the past few hours she had been fighting a 102-degree body temperature, nausea, and exhaustion and she still had more than 30 miles to go. Regardless, the 22-year-old from Huntington Beach pulled herself through the water, stroke by stroke, until her hour was up. Gruelingly, Eastman lugged herself out of the water and into...