1 dead, 4 missing in yacht race accident

By The Associated Press
Sunday, April 15, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — One sailor died and four others were missing at sea after powerful waves swept them from their yacht during a 60-mile roundtrip race off San Francisco’s coast, the Coast Guard said today. Three other crew members were rescued.

The 38-foot Low Speed Chase was competing Saturday in the race from San Francisco Bay around the Farallon Islands, some 27 miles off the coast.

Seas were rough, with waves running as high as 10 to 12 feet, when the vessel was hit by a larger wave that washed some of the crew members overboard, Coast Guard Petty Officer Levi Read said.