Man Missing From Capsized Boat Safe
An Oxnard man whose disappearance triggered a land and sea search early Wednesday morning after his dinghy capsized outside Channel Islands Harbor, has turned up on dry ground, authorities said.
Steve Douglas, one of two men who were setting fishing lines when their 10-foot fiberglass boat capsized at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday, contacted the Channel Islands Harbor Patrol at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
“He just called us on the phone,” said Harbor Master Jack Peveler.
A passing commercial fishing boat picked up Douglas’ partner, Scott Warner, 27, of Oxnard about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday. Warner was subsequently arrested by Ventura County sheriff’s deputies on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, authorities said. He posted the $5,000 bail Wednesday and is expected to be in court Oct. 24.
The search for Douglas continued until 5 a.m. Wednesday and involved Coast Guard and Sheriff’s Department helicopters and vessels. The search resumed at dawn before being suspended at 7.
Officers with the state Department of Fish and Game seized the fishing gear and were investigating whether the equipment was being used within department regulations.
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